Apr.20 - George Russell has publicly apologised to Valtteri Bottas for lashing out after their high speed crash at Imola.

After being chided by Toto Wolff, the Mercedes junior and 2021 Williams driver said on social media that he has now decided to "take responsibility".

"I apologise to Valtteri, to my team and to anyone who felt let down by my actions," the British driver, who admits the replays look "different" to how he perceived the crash at the time, said in a lengthy statement.

The apology follows Wolff's strong rebuke of the 23-year-old driver, who appears to be first in line to succeed one of Mercedes' current works drivers.

"The manoeuvre he made implied risks and did not take into account that the car in front of him was a Mercedes," said the Austrian.

"All the drivers at the academies should never lose sight of the global perspective of things. I think they have a lot to learn from what happened," Wolff added.

Russell, who had slapped Bottas' helmet before the Finn had even emerged from his wreck, told reporters that he is confident the incident "will not hurt my relationship with Mercedes".

However, he continues to suspect that Bottas defended his position so stridently because he regards Russell as a threat to his future in Formula 1.

"There is no tension at all between Valtteri and I," Russell insisted. "Obviously you can take my comment as you wish. I think it was pretty clear how it was intended.

"But maybe I was wrong. Maybe he's just fighting for absolutely every position.

"Valtteri and I will talk and we will clear the air. I've got no intention to hold any grudges or have any bad relationship with any driver on the grid."


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15 F1 Fan comments on “Russell apologizes to Bottas and fans after he reviewed crash footage

  1. shroppyfly

    With every camera angle covered there wasnt a lot else he could say , bless him , found his comment quite sly and clever , alone his comment doesnt mean much but it will fester in VB head.

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    • Linda

      I too lost any respect I had for him. That apology was basically for Toto's benefit, certainly not for Bottas. I'd love to have seen Russell's face when he heard Toto saying that they had discussed a seat for George & it would be that or the Clio cup series & now it's looking like the Clio Cup series. I bet GR had to backpedal & fast

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      • The Spy

        I’ve lost all respect for Russell he stepped over the line in his actions against Bottas after the crash. I would have expected that sort of behaviour from a younger Verstappen but not Russell. To have come out and denied slapping Bottas' on the helmet when the vision is very clear is unfortunately an indication of the type of guy he is very said that this has come from him.

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  2. shroppyfly

    How much to rebuild 2 f1 cars mmmm, for Merc and totos f1 salary what is it 8 million a yr it wont touch the sides, though at least williams have the cash now cause theyve two to rebuild lol

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  3. ReallyOldRacer

    Obviously, RUS has a future in politics after his F1 career is ended. What a pile of crap. It was a racing wreck caused by a lack of perfect judgement. Why not say that and be done with it?

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    • BD

      Hear hear! He behaved like an arrogant ingrate. Having paid lip service to the the party line, he probably still thinks he was wronged rather than wrong. The narcissistic personality it not uncommon among the elite of sport and business and perhaps that is why Russell, in the face of uncontravertible video evidence gave such grudging recognition of his error.

      And by the the way, VB could have been injured as he sat there being abused in a totally unacceptable thuggish manner - shame on you master Russell.

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  4. Swede

    But BOT did come to the right for no reason...
    I think Toto was wrong for only being upset that RUS tried to overtake a Metc. He implies it was fine if it was another team's car, which is BS.
    RUS is fine by me. He took the chance in the rain. Gutsy

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  5. shroppyfly

    again GR a bit naive to say ninth is nothing, might make the difference of a few million quid in the constructors championship, but hes young and hell learn, and yes very gutsy swede, considering his merc contract is probably in the bag anyway for 22

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  6. Jerry Santiago

    I believe the TRUST and RESPECT that LH, Wolf and Mercedes have built with each other make a solid case for a sustainable and lasting relationship beyond the F1 race track. Wishing them more victorious years with closer battles won even if these show less of their dominance (as competition improves) but still with flashes of brilliance from LH.

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  7. Richard

    Racing incident leave it at that George only made that statement because he was told to by Toto & Merc more politics tow the party line at the end of the day it's supposed to be racing stop sanitizing it with all this political correct bull shit

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