
Russell “disbelief” at worst mistake in his motorsport career
Russell “disbelief” at worst mistake in his motorsport career

Williams driver George Russell has labelled his crash behind the safety car at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as a "schoolboy error" after throwing away a potential first points finish in Formula 1.
Running in 10th position at Imola, Russell was working hard to keep heat in his tyres following Max Verstappen's right-rear tyre blowout.
Russell, however, lost the rear-end under acceleration as he entered the descent towards Acque Minerali, crashing his car into a wall and squandering a chance at securing the first point of his career.
After emerging from the FW43, a bitterly frustrated Russell sat down against a wall and could be seen beating the ground in anger at his mistake.
It was a scene reminiscent of Mika Hakkinen crying at the side of the track at Monza after making a similarly basic error while leading the 1999 Italian Grand Prix.
Describing his immediate feeling after the incident, Russell said: "It was almost disbelief, in all honesty.
"It was such an amateur mistake that I almost just could not believe what had just happened. It was just pure frustration and annoyance at the error I had just made.
"I’ve been through difficult times in my career before. With a mistake like this, it is very strange because it’s such a schoolboy error. "
Points at Imola would have been the first for Williams since Robert Kubica's drive at the German Grand Prix in 2019.
While chances are receding by the week for Williams to avoid its first-ever scoreless season, Russell praised the team for the job it did to get him in a position to fight for a point.
"It’s probably the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my career and I'm kicking myself even more because previously in junior series if I were to make a mistake, and let’s say lose a race or lose a victory, you know that you go to the next one and you know you’re in that position again," added Russell.
"I think the team did an amazing job this weekend and there are a lot of things to take away that were positive, to be in that position, and equally we weren’t leaving absolutely anything on the table.
"Unfortunately, that’s the reason that got us there in the first place but equally the reason why it ended how it did."
Before you go...
Wolff confirms he has Mercedes team principal successor in mind
Albon spin "hugely frustrating" as Red Bull leave Imola pointless
Related news

'Seeing is believing' - Susie Wolff demands more women competing in F1

Russell reveals historical advantage over Hamilton

Russell backs FIA reform over Gasly pain

Williams concede historic shortfall behind continued struggles
Most read

Helmet cams become mandatory for all 20 drivers after F1 deal struck

F1 LIVE - Williams reserve driver departs

Alonso worst team-mate as Horner is 'waste of time' - GPFans F1 Recap

Verstappen fires Ricciardo warning as Red Bull sense Mercedes problems - GPFans F1 Recap

Ricciardo warned off by Verstappen after Red Bull return
F1 Standings

Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Pirelli Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
Grand Prix of Spain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Grand Prix of Brazil 2023
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860