close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Russell at the Bahrain GP

FIA reject Russell "early" DRS crash cause claim

Russell at the Bahrain GP — Photo: © LAT Images

FIA reject Russell "early" DRS crash cause claim

Russell suggested the conditions were not suited to the overtaking aid

FIA race director Michael Masi has rejected claims from George Russell that the activation of DRS on a drying Imola track was a factor in the high-speed crash between the Williams and Valtteri Bottas.

Russell was attempting to overtake Bottas into Tamburello just a few laps after both had pitted for medium slick tyres as the rain subsided in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The British driver, however, lost control as the wheels on the right-hand side of his car touched the grass, resulting in a heavy collision at 200mph. Whilst Russell was initially critical of Bottas' driving, he has since issued an apology to the Finn.

The 23-year-old, however, suggested the decision to enable DRS in those conditions was a mistake and played a part in the crash.

"In hindsight, given the conditions, given the circuit, that the straight is not straight, the DRS probably should not have been activated," said Russell.

Masi, however, pointed to a number of other overtaking manoeuvres as proof DRS was not a cause for the frightening incident.

"Having looked at it at the time, it was obviously something we were monitoring closely," said Masi.

"To be fair, there were a number of DRS overtakes that were completed successfully before and after.

"So no, I don't think it was [the cause]. Looking at all of the footage, the track was all fine from our perspective and there were no issues on that end."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen team-mate sheds light on Nurburgring mistake

Max Verstappen team-mate sheds light on Nurburgring mistake

  • 2 hours ago
Brazilian Grand Prix SINKHOLE comes after F1 track caused chaos with three-hour delay

Brazilian Grand Prix SINKHOLE comes after F1 track caused chaos with three-hour delay

  • 3 hours ago
Max Verstappen 'isn't happy' at Red Bull and George Russell Mercedes seat is 'temporary'

Max Verstappen 'isn't happy' at Red Bull and George Russell Mercedes seat is 'temporary'

  • Yesterday 21:12
Kim Kardashian at the Japanese Grand Prix? Lewis Hamilton spotted with star in Tokyo

Kim Kardashian at the Japanese Grand Prix? Lewis Hamilton spotted with star in Tokyo

  • Yesterday 20:54
Shocking Adrian Newey details emerge: F1 legend 'blamed' for Aston Martin chaos

Shocking Adrian Newey details emerge: F1 legend 'blamed' for Aston Martin chaos

  • Yesterday 19:58
Max Verstappen sent Nurburgring 24 Hours warning as F1 champion named 'weakest link'

Max Verstappen sent Nurburgring 24 Hours warning as F1 champion named 'weakest link'

  • Yesterday 18:51

Just in

22-3
Max Verstappen team-mate sheds light on Nurburgring mistake
22-3
Brazilian Grand Prix SINKHOLE comes after F1 track caused chaos with three-hour delay
22-3
Max Verstappen 'isn't happy' at Red Bull and George Russell Mercedes seat is 'temporary'
22-3
Kim Kardashian at the Japanese Grand Prix? Lewis Hamilton spotted with star in Tokyo
22-3
Shocking Adrian Newey details emerge: F1 legend 'blamed' for Aston Martin chaos
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Lewis Hamilton is now winless for a year but iconic track will bring Ferrari star glory F1 2026

Lewis Hamilton is now winless for a year but iconic track will bring Ferrari star glory

Yesterday 17:57
Mercedes release official statement after disqualification heartbreak Mercedes

Mercedes release official statement after disqualification heartbreak

Yesterday 11:53
Max Verstappen Red Bull Nurburgring ban confirmed - 'Too dangerous' Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen Red Bull Nurburgring ban confirmed - 'Too dangerous'

Yesterday 08:28
Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: Final NLS2 Race times and positions after Mercedes disqualification Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: Final NLS2 Race times and positions after Mercedes disqualification

March 21, 2026 21:35
Ontdek het op Google Play
x