Williams driver Alex Albon paid for a dinner with Mercedes’ George Russell after the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, fulfilling a lighthearted promise made during the race. The meal followed a contentious moment where Albon slowed on track to assist his teammate, which affected Russell’s race in Monte Carlo.
Mandatory Two-Stop Strategy Sparks On-Track Gamesmanship
In an effort to increase excitement at Monaco, race officials imposed a compulsory two-stop pit strategy, aiming to avoid previous editions being labeled dull and processional. Instead, the rule led to drivers deliberately slowing down to create gaps for teammates to pit more advantageously. This tactic emerged notably between Williams’ drivers, with Albon holding up Russell during crucial moments of the race.
Albon Opens Up About the Dinner and Race Frustrations
Albon described the dinner as enjoyable despite the tense circumstances on-track. He revealed that Russell opted for the most expensive dish, lobster pasta, but did not order dessert. Albon explained,
“I did pay, yeah. I was going to pay. I mean, I should pay. That was miserable, that race. I can’t imagine that…”
[The dinner with Russell was] great. He ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. He did, actually. It was the lobster pasta. But he skipped on dessert, so it kind of equalled out. But it was good. It was good. It was a fun evening.
—Alex Albon, Williams
We had something to pay in it, so at least it felt like we had something going, because obviously for… others, it was a bit worse, but yes.
—Alex Albon, Williams
Discussion Focused More on Life Than Racing
Despite the race’s frustrations and strategic controversies, the two drivers kept their post-race dinner conversations mostly away from discussing the difficult race. Albon reflected,
“No, honestly, there’s very little talk about racing.”
He acknowledged that while the two-stop format was intended to improve racing, it did not have the desired effect.
And I think collectively, all of us, teams and drivers, we thought the two stops should create something, but obviously it just moved the goalpost a little bit, so we need to have a bit of another reconsideration of what we can do to improve some of the racing.
—Alex Albon, Williams
Implications for Future Race Strategies
The Monaco Grand Prix sparked debate over whether enforced strategic changes can truly enhance the spectacle in Formula 1. Williams and Mercedes drivers’ experience highlights the complexity of achieving exciting race dynamics without unintended consequences, like team tactics interfering with fair competition.
With both Albon and Russell emphasizing that the two-stop effort did not deliver as hoped, teams and organizers are expected to review strategies ahead of upcoming races, such as the Spanish Grand Prix, to find better solutions.
