General
Major panic from Russell after crash, FIA ignores red flag request
- GPblog.com
George Russell crashed from seventh place on the final lap of the Australian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver was in a battle for P6 with Fernando Alonso but was surprised by a manoeuvre by the Spaniard. After his accident, Russell was keen for a red flag. However, he received zero response from the FIA.
On Russell's team radio after the crash, he can be heard panicking and calling for a red flag: "Red flag, red flag, red flag. I'm in the middle of the track. Red flag, red flag. Red, red, red. I'm in the middle, red. F*cking hell."
However, the FIA decided not to use the red flag, but double yellows and a virtual safety car. Race officials wave double yellow in the event of a major accident, where the track is partially or even completely blocked. This did allow the race to end safely.