Motor racing: Russell apologises to Bottas after Imola outburst
Reuters | Apr 19, 2021 08:28 PM EDT
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, (Photo : Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS)
George Russell apologised publicly to Formula One rival Valtteri Bottas on Monday for his behaviour after the pair collided at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Yesterday wasn t my proudest day, the 23-year-old Briton said on social media.
The Williams driver had been trying to pass Bottas Mercedes for ninth place on Sunday when they made contact at speed and crashed out, bringing the race to a halt. Neither was hurt and stewards declared it a racing incident.
Motor racing-I’m only human, says Hamilton after recovery from rare error
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - April 18, 2021 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton celebrates after finishing second on the podium with the trophy Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon
April 19, 2021
By Alan Baldwin
(Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton said he was only human after making a rare mistake in a rollercoaster of an Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday.
The error left the seven-times world champion staring at a rare retirement before recovering to fight back and finish second.
In a race that resembled a high-speed game of snakes and ladders, the Mercedes driver went from pole to second to a standstill, staring at the barriers and fearing his race was over, then ninth and a lap down and back onto the podium.
Hakkinen: Red Bull have quickest qualifying car, but its close
20 April, 2021
Mika Hakkinen believes that Red Bull have the quickest car in qualifying trim, but added that Mercedes are “right with them” in terms of race pace.
Lewis Hamilton secured pole position ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix but was beaten off the line by his rival Max Verstappen, who went on to take victory in difficult conditions at Imola.
Meanwhile, Hamilton was able to recover from a trip to the gravel in order to finish second and take the fastest lap, giving him a one-point lead in the championship.
‘We don’t want Imola to be a Formula 1 museum’
Date published:
April 20 2021
Race organisers at Imola are determined to keep the circuit on the Formula 1 calendar beyond 2021, saying that the famous old circuit is “not a museum” after a thrilling race at the weekend.
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari was first used in F1 back in 1980, hosting races all the way through until 2006 before it was taken off the calendar.
The pandemic meant that Formula 1 pieced together a calendar predominantly in Europe to minimise travel where possible and Imola was reinstated for 2020, carrying on into this season.
Organisers used the opportunity to advertise the region to the world through the Made in Italy campaign. Emilia Romagna is the home of the famous Motorsport Valley – which connects Bologna, Modena and Maranello, alongside being in close proximity to several tracks, including both Imola and legendary motorcycle venue Misano.
20 April, 2021
Sergio Perez has admitted that he is “very disappointed” with his performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that saw him finish outside the points.
His struggles in the race came after an excellent qualifying result for the Red Bull man, who put his RB16B on the front row alongside polesitter Lewis Hamilton and ahead of teammate Max Verstappen, who started third.
However, Perez was jumped by Verstappen at the start and lost further positions after spinning under the first safety car in the wet conditions, which also saw him pick up a 10-second stop/go penalty for overtaking cars in order to regain his position.