Actions after Imola Botta’s crash “very poor judgment”

Russell got off his destroyed FW43B and ran to speak to Bottas while the Finn was still in his own badly damaged car after the pair battled for ninth place at the last Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

It was an accident classified as a racing event by the Imola stewards after Russell’s right wheels hit a damp stretch of track that led to the Tamburello chicane.

At the pre-event press conference for the Portuguese GP this weekend in Portimao, Russell was asked how he was thinking about the incident – after initially giving the Imola media fiery assessments of the event and then apologizing to Bottas after the race.

Mercedes Junior Russell said: “I had a week, even just one evening [immediately after the race]To calm the emotions and think about it all, I think the incident is one thing – it’s part of the race and these things happen.

“I think the actions I took after that weren’t the real me.

PLUS: Why Russell was right after meeting Imola F1 to be wrong about Bottas

“I kind of went against my instincts to go away and show almost a little emotion, which in the heat of the moment was probably very poor judgment.

“[And that] led to a few more things later that afternoon. So I felt it was necessary to say it [the statement] out on Monday morning to apologize for my actions.

“Because I want to set a good example and want to be a role model and these actions after the incident don’t set a good example.”

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

Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images

When asked whether he had been approached by Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff, Russell replied: “Yes, of course – Toto and I have spoken extensively since the incident.

“The content of this will remain private, but it has been very supportive, very constructive.

“Our relationship was not damaged at all after the incident – on the contrary. And also with everyone at Williams. “

Russell also highlighted his promising pace and position in the Imola race before crashing with Bottas, saying Williams should be “proud of the progress” he has made to “fight for points on merit”.

“[Williams has] was incredibly supportive, ”said Russell of his current team, which also lost Nicholas Latifi in a fall on the first lap at Imola on a weekend that did very well in practice and qualifying compared to its class C rivals Had shown pace.

“They want me to attack, take opportunities and we are proud to have been in that position.

“We were in tenth place and fought for merit points. We had been there in certain places last year, but by lucky opportunities – from other cars that were retiring.

“But we were really there for our merit and wanted to overtake.”