Russell lashes out at Bottas over high-speed Imola crash

George Russell and Valtteri Bottas were left fuming at each other after a nasty high-speed collision that red-flagged the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Williams driver Russell appeared to lash out at Finn Bottas after a heavy accident heading into the Tamburello chicane, where Russell lost control on the grass in slippery conditions as the Mercedes driver defended his line into the first corner.

The pair were battling over eighth position on lap 33 at Imola, with Russell impressing in the difficult conditions as Bottas struggled to make up places from his poor grid position.

Following the collision, Russell said on team radio: "What the f**k is he doing? Is he a f*****g [bleep] or what?"

After extricating himself from his destroyed Williams, Russell went over to speak to Bottas, who was still sat inside his Mercedes.

Whatever words were exchanged, it resulted in Bottas raising his middle finger to Russell who departed by giving the Finn a tap on his helmet.

Bottas was taken to the medical centre after the incident having been winded in the collision, but was cleared and out before the race had been completed.

The incident could add fire to an already difficult predicament for Mercedes, with Russell seemingly in direct competition with Bottas for the second seat at the seven-time champions for 2022 onwards.

It is the second time that Russell has retired from a points-scoring position at Imola for Williams, with the team still searching for its first points since Germany 2019 after Nicholas Latifi also retired following a collision with Nikita Mazepin on lap one.

🚩 RED FLAG 🚩

The race is suspended as the clean-up operation begins#ImolaGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/JPv4ehGOjr

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 18, 2021

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