Russell dominates and cruises to Monaco Virtual GP victory

  • Published on 24 May 2020 20:25
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

George Russell dominated around the streets of Monte Carlo in the Monaco Virtual GP, crossing the line over 35 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Russell started the race from second on the grid, with Pietro Fittipaldi alongside him on pole position. The Brazilian triumphed during the 18-minute qualifying session which was run under wet conditions.

However Fittipaldi had a disastrous opening lap and found himself shuffled down to fourth place, with Russell taking the lead on the medium tyres.

Arthur Leclerc slotted in behind the 2020 Williams F1 driver but pitted on lap 9 for medium tyres, which dropped him into the pack.

His brother Charles, who was also running at the front of the field, emerged in traffic when he made his pit stop, allowing Russell to build out a lead out in front.

With a clear track, Russell found time on his rivals and when he pitted on lap 28, he was 15 seconds ahead of the nearest car.

The battle for the podium heated up as Lando Norris, who was yet to make his pit stop, battled with the Leclerc brothers. However, contact was made between Norris and Arthur Leclerc, sending the latter spinning at Turn 1.

Towards the end of the race, Esteban Gutierrez was catching Leclerc who made his way to P2. With two laps remaining, the duo collided at the exit of the tunnel. Leclerc came off worse but managed to hold onto third place, while Gutierrez crossed the line over half a minute down on Russell in second.

The victory for Russell marks his second consecutive Virtual GP win, as he came out on top two weeks ago at the event around the Circuit de Catalunya.

Alex Albon was fourth across the line, followed by Arthur Leclerc and Fittipaldi. Norris was seventh for McLaren, leading fellow F1 driver Nicholas Latifi.

Louis Deletraz was classified in ninth and David Schumacher took the last point on offer. Crossing the line on his debut in the Virtual GP series in 11th was seven-time grand prix winner Valtteri Bottas

Esteban Ocon, who was also set to make his debut, was unable to do so due to a technical issue.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 486
  • Podiums 11
  • Grand Prix 107
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (26)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar