George Russell’s United States Grand Prix finished with a fifth position and the small satisfaction of having taken the fastest lap of the race in Austin. The Mercedes Englishman has now jumped to fourth place in the 2022 Formula One world championship standings, but his race will be remembered above all for the accident at the start that ended – after just one corner – Carlos Sainz’s dreams of glory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). George Russell threw himself into turn 1 to overtake team-mate Lewis Hamilton, but hadn’t taken into consideration the presence of the #55 Ferrari car, which, after finding itself on the outside of the corner, went inside on the racing line.
The impact was inevitable and resulted in Carlos Sainz’s retirement and a five-second penalty for George Russell. At first the former Williams driver complained over the radio, claiming that the Spaniard had hit him. But then, at the end of the race, George Russell took full responsibility for the incident, even going to apologize in person to Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari motorhome. Interviewed by Sky Sport F1, the young Mercedes talent explained the incident, accepting without complaint the sanction imposed by the race stewards.
“Was I too optimistic in turn 1 and if it was my fault? Yes – George Russell admitted – I went to talk to Carlos precisely because you never want to be involved in a situation like that, in an accident like this. When I entered Turn 1 I thought Carlos was going on the outside of Max. I was in a good position there to overtake Lewis, but then when I saw Carlos going inwards I knew we were going to make contact. It was my mistake. I’m sorry, I apologize.” – the Mercedes driver concluded.
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