Fernando Alonso admits he wanted to find "anyone but" George Russell as he claimed P10 at the Austrian Grand Prix.
After starting P8, the pace of Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo meant the Williams driver had to climb his way back inside the points positions, which he would do to run 10th.
Unfortunately, however, the pace of Alonso in the closing laps would prove too much for Russell, who had to yield at Turn 4 after 10 laps of stout defence, ultimately resulting in his third P11 finish.
"I felt a bit sad for George because he drove an amazing weekend," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
"I was hoping it was anyone but him on that last spot. I had much better tyres, much better traction and I could make the move.
"He will have more opportunities hopefully for podiums or wins in the future."
To make matters worse, the Austrian GP marked the second straight Sunday that Russell had seen a good chance of his first points for the Grove-based team taken away.
"I did everything I could, but ultimately the speed Fernando had, he was always going to catch, he was absolutely flying," he conceded.
"He was unfortunate yesterday, he probably should have qualified in the top five, and I guess P11 was the maximum today.
"I'm not that disheartened, to be honest, because ultimately you get what you deserve and those guys were faster than us," he added.
"We did a great job yesterday over one lap but they were inherently that bit faster than us and were always going to come through."
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Given Russell has spent much of his F1 career towards the back of the field, he was also thrilled to have a proper duel with a driver like Alonso.
"It sort of reminded me of my junior days when you were battling wheel-to-wheel week in, week out," he said.
"I guess the biggest thing was just experience, and getting that feeling doing it in a Formula 1 car is very different with all the downforce and dirty air. So you’re just gaining experience.
"It feels a bit strange, I’ve been here three years now and I haven’t had that many battles."
