Russell not fazed by memories of rookie Imola mistake

Will Gray
Sunday 18 April 2021 10:20

George Russell claims the rookie mistake that pitched him out of the points when Formula 1 was last at Imola will not “cross his mind” during today's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Russell threw away a chance of points at the race in mid-November when he was heavy-footed while warming his tyres behind the safety car which pitched his Williams into the wall approaching Acque Minerali.

After qualifying 12th for today's event, Russell again has a chance to score his first points for Williams. The only points of his career so far came when he substituted Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in Bahrain late last year.

Speaking ahead of the race where he made his heartbreaking mistake last year, Russell said: “I don’t think it’s a case of putting it out of your mind.

"You have to recognise these moments, and these moments make you stronger as a person, as a driver.

“When I cycled the track I didn’t get to that corner and look the other way. You always have to face the disappointments in your career head-on and recognise and learn from them, which I have done since that mistake.

“Back here this weekend, it probably even wouldn’t cross my mind once. If the same situation arises in the race again, I will still be pushing flat out. The consequences of what happened last year won’t be on my mind.”

Despite the impressive performance in qualifying, Russell is under no illusion he is a shoo-in for points, as many drivers that will be starting around him still have better-performing cars.