Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash

Formula 1’s appeal isn’t just built around the action and drama on track. It’s a living, breathing soap opera with a paddock and pitlane full of personalities, driven individuals and clashes all fuelled by a common catalyst of everyone there wanting to be the best.

What happens off track can sometimes be as big a selling point in drawing people in than anything that takes place when the lights go out and the bullshit stops for two hours on a Sunday afternoon.

That’s exactly what happened at Imola on Sunday when George Russell’s collision with Valtteri Bottas escalated into one of conflict, accusation, conspiracy and head shaking.

Emotions that had understandably been running high in the immediate seconds after their high-speed crash, as Russell confronted Bottas in the cockpit and was shown the finger in return, were still running rampant hours later as Russell threw accusations at Bottas.

"I'm fighting for P9, a P9 for him is absolutely nothing. Almost meaningless,” said Russell. “He did a move that you would do if you were fighting for victory on the last lap of the race. It begs the question why he would do that for P9. Perhaps, if it was another driver, he wouldn't have.”

George Russell, Williams FW43B

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

When those suggestions were put to Bottas himself, he was swift in his response.

"Sorry, I lost my aluminium foil hat somewhere. It's quite a theory,” he said. "I'm always going to defend to any driver, I'm not keen to lose any positions. That was normal defending. It could have been a lot more aggressive if needed.

"I don't agree with any of that at all. I was doing my thing. No matter who I would have been defending, it would have been exactly the same.”

“I don't want him [Russell] to try to prove anything to us. Because one thing I can say knowing Valtteri since five years, he's not trying to prove anything” Toto Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was certainly unimpressed with Russell’s suggestion that Bottas had an ulterior motive as he battled for a Mercedes seat in 2022.

“That’s bullshit,” he said.

Wolff later added: “I don't want him [Russell] to try to prove anything to us. Because one thing I can say knowing Valtteri since five years, he's not trying to prove anything.”

PLUS: How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight

A few hours later and Russell had certainly begun to see things in a clearer context: backing away slightly from putting the blame totally on Bottas for the crash. He had shifted his suggestion to it being an accident that needn’t have happened.

His view had been enhanced by watching some CCTV footage of the crash that wasn't broadcasted that offered different angles from those shown on the world feed.

“You know, when you can review everything and look at it in slow motion and everything, and from certain camera angles, it all looks very different,” he confessed.

Twenty-four hours later, with Russell having slept on it and likely having spoken to Mercedes team boss Wolff, the apology came.

“I know I should have handled the whole situation better,” Russell posted on social media. “I expect more from myself, as I know others expect more from me. I've learned some tough lessons this weekend and will come out of this a better driver and a better person for the experience.”

Marshals clear the damaged car of Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, from the gravel trap

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images

Russell’s stance drew much support – and was even praised by world champion Lewis Hamilton.

“Strength comes from vulnerability,” wrote Hamilton. “If you don’t make the mistakes, you will never learn the lesson. Respect for taking responsibility. On to the next one.”

Driver apologies for something they have done in the heat of the moment can vary in their quality and their sincerity. Sometimes you get a sense that drivers apologise not because it comes from the heart, but because they have been told to by their bosses or team PRs. The move comes in an attempt to diffuse the matter tumbling out of control in the media or social channels.

But, being so specific on the aftermath, rather than the crash, was the right thing to do. The accident itself was a racing incident; neither Russell nor Bottas were entirely to blame

But it’s often fairly obvious when it’s a manufactured response, because the apology ends up being weak. The driver doesn’t actually confess to being truly sorry and there is an obvious desire from them to view the statement as the end of the matter and it’s time to move on.

Russell’s words and approach seems quite different. Sure, it was carefully worded: and was notably a direct reference to what had happened after the crash rather that focusing on the incident itself. But, being so specific on the aftermath, rather than the crash, was the right thing to do. The accident itself was a racing incident; neither Russell nor Bottas were entirely to blame.

PLUS: How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves

Bottas had defended robustly, as he is allowed, and left enough room on his right-hand side, as the rules demand he must. Russell had taken a risk in being aggressive, as is his right, and went for a gap that was big enough for his car to get through.

That his wheels spun on a damp patch and pitched him into the side of Bottas was simply a consequence of circumstance. Neither driver did anything deliberately wrong.

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Where Russell did overstep the mark, however, was in suggesting that there were nefarious intentions behind Bottas’s defensive driving.

The very fact such thoughts about the 2022 Mercedes seat came into his own head as being a factor in the accident, all but suggested that he may not go to battle against the Finn as he would another driver, knowing what’s at stake. But, while the Bottas criticisms were wrong, Russell should not be hung out to dry about making them.

If anyone is involved in a 200mph accident – and it’s probably the highest speed collision we’ve had in F1 for a while – then adrenaline levels are going to be running high, and the blood will be pumping hard for many hours afterwards. Going a bit OTT is fully understandable.

Drivers being free to speak to their minds is something that should also be applauded. We don’t want repeated no comments. We don’t want PR guff. We want words from the heart. We want to know what the drivers really think. And, in fact, the F1 soap opera demands it.

If sometimes drivers do say the wrong thing – and are later forced to roll back on some remarks – then that’s nothing that should be held against them. Especially if it’s been done in the right way like Russell did.

George Russell, Williams

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images