George Russell, Valtteri Bottas remain in disagreement over Emilia Romagna GP crash

George Russell and Valtteri Bottas have once again presented contrasting views on their crash in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last weekend. Russell was looking to overtake Bottas’ Mercedes while in 10th, but the Williams driver ended up crashing into the Finn and both of them had to retire as a result. Immediately after the incident, Russell went up to Bottas to exchange words. However, the young British driver subsequently apologised for his actions. That being said, he remains firm in his belief that he did no wrong.

“Between all of the drivers, we’ve had this gentleman’s agreement that when there’s a faster car approaching with the DRS, you don’t jolt the steering wheel at the very last moment,” Russell said afterwards.

“It’s the smallest of moves, but when you’re going at 220 mph, and you’re going 30 mph quicker than the car ahead, it’s massive.”

However, Valtteri Bottas disagreed with the notion put forward in place by George Russell. “No, I don’t see it that way at all,” he told Motorsport.com.

“I didn’t make any sudden moves. I think it’s quite clear from his onboard as well, I always left a space.

“No, from my side, it was clean. And of course I’m defending, I’m not going to make any room for him. But also when I race, I have respect. So I see it differently than him.”

‘Could have defended more aggresively’ – Bottas

Bottas added he could have been more aggressive while defending the position and that Russell should have been aware that the track was still damp.

“He knew that it was going to be damp there, because we have gone there lap after lap. I knew as well, and it was just not a place to go in those conditions on slicks. But he still went there.

“It was his choice to go there, I was doing my job trying to defend, and I’m not going to move away and give him the dry patch back. That’s how it goes.”

Russell’s actions were even criticised by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. However, there remains a belief that the Englishman will eventually drive for Mercees one day.