“I hoped it’d be anyone but him” – Fernando Alonso consoles George Russell after ‘stealing’ point off him in Austria

“I hoped it’d be anyone but him” – Fernando Alonso overtook George Russell towards the final stage to elude the latter of his first-ever championship point for Williams.

When I saw it was Russell in P10, I hoped it’d be anyone but him.

This is what Fernando Alonso had to stay post-race at the Austrian Grand Prix. George Russell fought off the two-time champion for 9-10 laps before the inevitable happened.

George Russell conceals disappointment

Russell is having an amazing season, massively overperforming the Williams. Valtteri Bottas might have got the podium here, but it would be very difficult for Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to not give Russell the seat next season.

‘Mr. Saturday’, meanwhile, claimed he wasn’t disheartened with the outcome, as he got what he deserved. Russell is putting up a brave face here, as he definitely deserved to win a point for Williams before he eventually moves to Mercedes.

“Not that disheartened, to be honest, because ultimately you get what you deserve and those guys were faster than us. We did a great job yesterday over one lap but they were inherently that bit faster than us, and were always going to come through.

Alonso had to do what was expected of him, earning him a point after cruelling missing out on qualifying in the Top 10 yesterday, Sebastian Vettel blocking him. Russell was happy with what Alonso got, adding “P11 was the maximum’ he could have achieved.

“I did everything I could, but ultimately the speed Fernando had, he was always going to catch, he was absolutely flying. He was unfortunate yesterday, he probably should qualified in the top five and I guess P11 was the maximum today.”

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