British racer George Russell will serve a five-place grid penalty in the next FIA European Formula 3 Championship event around the Dutch circuit of Zandvoort after being found guilty of causing the collision with Joel Eriksson during Sunday’s final race at the Norisring.
Hitech GP racer Russell was attempting an overtake into the final hairpin at the end of the third lap, but misjudged the move on Motopark’s Eriksson, spinning the Swedish driver and causing both drivers to retire with suspension damage.
The move was reviewed by the stewards at the German street circuit, and as well as the grid penalty, Russell also received two penalty points on his racing licence.
It was the second time this weekend that Eriksson was taken out, having seen his chance of a maiden series victory disappear when Callum Ilott struck the back of his car during Saturday’s opening race that earned the British racer a similar five place grid penalty for race two.
The penalty ended another disappointing weekend for Russell, who took home a podium from race one only when Nick Cassidy was penalised for a safety car offence, while the Briton finished down in ninth in race two after often being caught out by other drivers mistakes in front of him.
Russell was one of the pre-season championship favourites but now sits fourth in the standings, 108 points behind Prema Powerteam’s Lance Stroll.
