was seen on camera exchanging angry words with his fellow Formula One team principal James Vowles at the Monaco Grand Prix, before revealing that the chief had apologised for his team's actions. Vowles, stood on the grid, remonstrated with a nearby Wolff who was in the garage after the race.

In a move that ultimately was successful, Williams drivers and backed up their Mercedes counterparts and , ensuring that they could not overtake while the Grove-based team completed their two mandatory pit stops. The new rule change, in place at Monte Carlo for the first time, did not have its desired effect and , forcing them to deliberately drive slower to help their team-mate pit.

Russell was so frustrated by Williams' tactics that he passed Albon illegally, earning himself a drive-through penalty that he was happy to take just to get in front of his rival.

After Wolff had been spotted arguing with Vowles, he revealed that the Williams chief, who formerly worked at Mercedes as the motorsport strategy director, sent his ex-boss a text message to apologise.

Vowles said that their ploy was a consequence of the new rules, rather than a vendetta against the Silver Arrows. Wolff read out the text: "'I'm sorry. We had no choice given what happened ahead.'"

Wolff replied to Vowles: "I answered: 'We know.'"

The Austrian executive added: "James is one of my guys, and I don't want to sound patronising, because he's making a career as a team principal, and he's doing really well.

"He had to do it, you know, it's two cars in the points, and I think that what started it [all] was the RBs [Racing Bulls] that pegged us back off, and that's what he had to do."

Russell also sought an apology from Albon, who he spent the majority of the race behind, but this time the Thai-British driver was forced to pay financially for the strategy.

Having finished outside of the points, in 11th place, Russell took to social media to vent and claim that he deserved some form of financial compensation.

"Monaco is such a special place but we knew our weekend was over following the failure in qualifying," Russell wrote. "Dinner on you tonight Albono!!!"

Albon did live up to those words, picking up the tab during their post-race dinner. He shared a picture of the two drivers, holding the cheque, captioning it: "You're welcome @georgerussell63."