Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso denied one hundredth F1 podium as post-race penalty elevates George Russell

The Spaniard, who had briefly led the race, was given a five-second penalty for an incorrect begin place, which he served when teammate Lance Stroll retired from the race on lap 18.

The 41-year-old took to the rostrum to rejoice his third place behind the dominant Crimson Bulls of race winner Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

However he was then virtually instantly slapped with the additional time penalty when race stewards determined he had not carried out the sooner penalty accurately.

It proved a bitter finish to the weekend following jubilant scenes within the Aston Martin storage however Alonso described his frustration.

“It doesn’t harm a lot to be trustworthy, I used to be on the rostrum, I did the photographs, I held the trophy, I celebrated with the champagne however apparently I’ve three factors much less.

“I believe the FIA fell brief immediately, greater than disappointment from ourselves. You can’t apply a penalty 35 laps after the pit cease. They’d sufficient time to tell us in regards to the penalty.

“Perhaps if I knew that I’d open up 11 seconds on the automotive behind. At the moment we didn’t placed on a very good present for the followers.”

The end result lifted George Russell a spot to 3rd after a robust weekend for the Briton regardless of apparent points with the W14.

Russell stated: “I believe the penalty for Fernando is fairly harsh, they’re the deserving podium finishers immediately, however I’ll take a trophy so I’m not complaining an excessive amount of!”