George crashes out of the points and the Emilia RomagnaGP after contact with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in Imola.

Looking to rectify the mistakes of last year, George utilised his stellar P12 qualifying position, making up a position into P11 despite the wet conditions.

After a crash for teammate Nicholas Latifi brought out the yellow flags and safety car, George maintained his P11 positions but once the safety car was brought in, he was able to catch the Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly, putting himself into P10 and the points.

With the rain departing and the track quickly drying by lap 26 of 63, it was time to dispatch of the Wet Pirelli tyres as George pitted to switch to the Medium (C3) compound Pirelli rubber, re-emerging in P10.

As the laps ticked by, George continued to make progress, closing the gap between himself and Bottas until lap 32 as he tried to make a move around the outside of the Finnish driver.

Unfortunately, both drivers made contact, ending the race for the pair and bringing out a red flag for the remaining drivers.

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George Russell – Williams Racing Driver

‍“I think it was a very unfortunate incident and one that could have been avoided. Valtteri was defending hard, and he is in his right to do so. The track was going left, and he was going straight. In these conditions with one dry line, it only had one outcome. It is frustrating but that is Formula One.”

George will return to the track at Portugal on April 30.