Russell warns aggressive Leclerc over 'questionable' defending

George Russell has claimed that Charles Leclerc's defensive driving was "questionable" and that some of his moves were "borderline" what is accepted.

The Mercedes driver was close to Leclerc in the opening stint of the race on the Soft tyre as the team wanted him to move up the field early in the race.

Russell eventually pitted after a 28-lap stint on the Softs for a set of Mediums, emerging behind the Ferrari driver. The pair briefly raced for position on track, with Russell managing to get past Leclerc and eventually drive to fifth place.

"I felt good on those tyres. It was 28 laps that I was within one second of the car ahead," he told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"I could have extended even further had it been clear air, I felt really good on that tyre and it felt good on our car."

Russell was left unhappy with Leclerc's driving when he tried to get past him, but does not feel that it impacted his race: “I did my best to overtake Charles, some questionable defending at points.

"But it wouldn't have changed my race. Had I got past him, it probably would have meant I would have boxed even earlier.

“Probably both the McLarens would have pitted to cover me. So I still probably would have finished fifth."

Russell: Leclerc driving "clearly not allowed"

Russell elaborated on the move, claiming that aspects of Leclerc's defensive driving was "clearly not allowed" in the rules.

"It was just about braking into Turn 16. I was about to lunge him down inside and right at the braking zone he came across pretty aggressively," he explained.

“That's clearly not allowed in the rules. I think they gave him a slap on the wrist. When you got one overtaking opportunity and [Leclerc gets] sort of a warning for it, it's a bit frustrating."

When asked if he will bring it up a future drivers briefings, Russell answered: “I don't think I need to.

"It was very borderline. I need to look at a video again. It felt on the limit from within the car, or maybe just over the limit. I've not seen a replay. I'm not too concerned about it right now."