FIA reject Russell "early" DRS crash cause claim

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."

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