Why Imola heartbreak can be catalyst for successful Russell career

By his own admission, George Russell suffered one of the most difficult days in his fledgeling Formula 1 career at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after crashing out of a potential points-paying position under safety car conditions.

The incident was a gut-wrenching moment for Russell and his Williams team, who remain pointless in 2020 with just four races remaining.

Everyone is aware of the talent the Briton possesses, albeit he is now fourth on the all-time list of drivers for most starts without scoring a point.

While it is inconsequential, the more often opportunities like the one on Sunday slip through his fingers, the more often statistics like that will potentially play on his mind and provide his detractors with ammunition.

Initially, we saw Russell slumped against a fence after his crash - Mika Hakkinen-esque given the Finn's own error in crashing out of the 1999 Italian GP while leading before emerging from his car and breaking down in tears - dejectedly gathering his thoughts before returning to the paddock.

For the immediate future, it is now a question of how Russell bounces back from what was a gut-wrenching incident?

Some drivers could potentially lose confidence, which in turn impacts pace and performance and before you know it a snowball effect has started that can end up destroying a career before it has even started.

Looking at Russell, we don't believe that will be the case. For a start, he has an enviable support network, not only with a nurturing Williams but also Mercedes, an organisation that has helped develop his career.

It has, and will continue to be, there at his side, ensuring he is focused, relaxed and more importantly, extracting the most from his potential.

There is every likelihood that at some point, perhaps as early as 2022, Russell will be promoted to the champions if a seat becomes available.

Many have wondered why the 2018 F2 champion has not already been shuffled into the Mercedes pack for next season, with Russell instead contracted to another year at Williams.

There could be many reasons for this. But for a driver in the infancy of his career and with just over a season-and-a-half under his belt, it could be argued Russell has not had enough time to bed in.

The 2019 iteration of the Williams was nothing short of woeful, lapping some way off the back of the pack and not an indication of what F1 is to Russell or what Russell is to F1, and then you compare the team-mates Russell has had to battle.

With the greatest of respect to Robert Kubica and his bravery in fighting his way back from serious injuries in a rallying accident, the Pole was out of his depth last year.

This season, credit where it is due, Nicholas Latifi has done a fine job in his rookie campaign, regularly performing well on race day and finishing agonisingly close to points on three occasions by navigating his way through chaos.

But for however good Latifi has looked on a Sunday, Russell has always been a step ahead - a significant step at that.

Eight Q2 appearances in what is an improved, but still under-performing Williams is exceptional. Russell has still yet to be out-qualified by a team-mate in the sport.

Kubica was rarely close across a weekend and although Latifi does find race pace, the margin in qualifying is more often than not too big a disparity for a set of team-mates.

Had fortune gone Russell's way, he would already have points on the board. At Mugello, he was coasting towards a top-10 finish when Lance Stroll's heavy crash brought out red flags.

For the standing restart, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen, who had been a lap down but were able to unlap themselves with what was effectively a formation lap to the grid and so generate heat in their tyres, swiftly dispatched Russell who was a sitting duck off the line.

Russell would also have been in the mix at the Nürburgring had it not been for Kimi Raikkonen misjudging his braking zone and forcing him out of the race.

Returning to why Russell will emerge from this stronger, that is primarily because of his temperament during the incident and in the following hours.

His instant radio message - although naturally upset with himself - was still calm. There was no anger, no red mist descending. Then he collected himself, returned to the paddock and fulfilled his media duties.

Yesterday sucked. But that feeling only makes me more determined to keep pushing, keep improving and keep getting stronger.

Know that every one of your messages gives me that same motivation. Thank you for the incredible support, it means a lot 👊

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) November 2, 2020

After a difficult race, qualifying or indeed the whole weekend, we have become accustomed to drivers across the grid giving tetchy interviews, one-line answers and a defensive stance that exude arrogance.

Stroll gave just such an interview after his Imola weekend. He is not the first and by no means will he be the last and, for the most part, it is understandable interviews play out in that way when emotions run high.

Russell, though, through all his issues in races this season has always been polite and respectful in the way he conducts himself, providing candid insights into his personal reflection, always speaking eloquently and with a maturity beyond his years.

After multiple responses to his reflective Instagram post from drivers past and present, it is clear the character underneath the helmet is well-liked and well-respected.

That will only take him so far, however. Undeniably, Russell has talent. You do not win an F2 championship through luck, nor wrestle a Williams in its current guise around a racetrack as he does.

So with the safety car incident fresh in his mind, surely a fire will be stoked within. He will be determined to make amends and perform at his highest level at the next race in Turkey to prove any doubters wrong.

With the heights Russell can reach, the forlorn picture of him against the fence may be a visual representation of the catalyst for his whole career.

Will we look back on this moment in three or four years' time as we did with Lewis Hamilton when recounting Shanghai 2007? I think so.

Before you go...

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