Late Leclerc penalty gifts Virtual GP victory to Russell

  • Published on 10 May 2020 20:23
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

A late-race penalty for Charles Leclerc ensured George Russell emerged as the victor of the Spanish Virtual Grand Prix.

Russell claimed pole position in the preceding qualifying session, but found himself in fifth place at the end of the first lap, with Esteban Gutierrez taking the lead from the front row.

However, Leclerc made quick wor of Gutierrez and fired into the lead, before Alexander Albon made his way past the Mexican, setting his sights on the Ferrari driver ahead.

On lap 5, Albon made his way into the pits and when Leclerc made his first stop three laps later, he found himself behind the Thai-British racer. 

Albon dropped deeper into the field when he made his second stop on lap 19 for the hard tyre, while Russell closed in on Leclerc, having recovered from his poor start.

The two battled for the lead before Russell received a time penalty, handing the advantage to Leclerc. Russell managed to overtake and stay ahead of Leclerc, but the latter needed to stay within three seconds in order to receive the race win across the line.

On the penultimate lap, Leclerc picked up a three-second time penalty, neutralising the fight and all-but securing the victory for Russell, who crossed the line on the next lap to take the chequered flag.

Gutierrez was third ahead of Albon who managed to make up a handful of positions after his final pit stop.

Nicholas Latifi was fifth, ahead of ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson, who was driving for Mercedes.

Antonio Giovinazzi was seventh despite holding second place early on in the race, while Haas development driver Pietro Fittipaldi followed in eighth.

Antonio Fuoco was ninth in the second Ferrari car and Max Fewtrell took the final point on offer, crossing the line over six seconds in front of Jimmy Broadbent. 

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Blah Blah Blah I want real racing

    • + 0
    • May 11 2020 - 02:01
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    I really liked the battle Russell went for, it was a really great scrap. He blew up his start but then made a great recovery. This track suited him and... Williams car :D

    • + 0
    • May 12 2020 - 08:26

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,036
  • Podiums 28
  • Grand Prix 122
  • Country MC
  • Date of b. Oct 16 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Monte Carlo, MC
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar