SUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) -George Russell said Formula One would have "opened a can of worms" had Fernando Alonso not been punished for braking suddenly in front of him at last month's Australian Grand Prix, triggering a crash.

Aston Martin's Alonso was handed a 20 second post-race penalty for potentially dangerous driving after slowing earlier than usual into turn six at Melbourne's Albert Park, with Russell caught by surprise.