F1 drivers rally around devastated Russell after costly Imola crash

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is among the drivers to have sent George Russell messages of support following his crash under the Safety Car at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Russell had been running within the top 10 and looked in contention to score his first ever point in F1 before he lost control while trying to warm his tyres under a late Safety Car period and slammed his Williams into the wall.

The Briton was left gutted by his error which he labelled as “the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my career”.

Russell later shared an image of himself on Instagram in which he is pictured sat down by the side of the track contemplating the aftermath of his accident, with the caption reading: “I’ll never forget this day, this mistake.

“I’ll learn from it, be stronger for it. I’m so sorry to the whole team. No excuses.”

Six-time world champion Hamilton, who claimed his 93rd victory by winning Sunday’s race at Imola, replied: “George, you were giving it your all.

“It’s ok to make mistakes and it’s ok to feel the pain. I’ve made more than I can remember. You’re great bud. Keep your head up and keep pushing, on to the next one!”

GEORGE: "I don't know what to say" #ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qefrtEPvCD

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 1, 2020

Haas driver Romain Grosjean, who crashed under Safety Car conditions at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, also commented as he empathised with Russell’s accident.

“Man, I know the feeling,” the Frenchman wrote. “Will take some time to forget it, but what you do is mega. Keep pushing.”

Russell admitted after the race that he would need a “couple of days” to get over what he described as being an “amateur” error.

“I need to take a couple of days to sort of reflect on what has just happened,” he explained.

“Ultimately as well I think we’ve got to take away some positives from this and go to the next race with a positive frame of mind as we need to fight to get ourselves back in this position again, and I’m confident we can.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll never forget this day, this mistake. I’ll learn from it, be stronger for it. I’m so sorry, to the whole team. No excuses.

A post shared by George Russell (@georgerussell63) on Nov 1, 2020 at 8:16am PST

Yesterday sucked. But that feeling only makes me more determined to keep pushing, keep improving and keep getting stronger.

Know that every one of your messages gives me that same motivation. Thank you for the incredible support, it means a lot

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) November 2, 2020