Russell apologises to Sainz for first-corner collision
George Russell swiftly made his way over to the Ferrari hospitality suite to apologise to Carlos Sainz after he turned around the polesitter at the first corner and eliminated him from the United States Grand Prix.
The Spaniard had lost out to Max Verstappen off the line and, as Russell defended against Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton into the uphill left-hander, he clattered into the back of the Ferrari. The F1-75 was retired later that lap with a subsequent water leak. The stewards handed Russell a fivesecond penalty for his efforts before he was further stymied with lasting front-wing damage that left him uncomfortable all afternoon.
“Firstly, apologies to Carlos,” said Russell. “When I was attacking into Turn 1, and I saw he was on the outside of Max, I was expecting him to try to hold it around the outside. As soon as I recognised he was trying to cut back underneath Max, I had already committed to my braking zone, and contact was inevitable. But as a driver you need to be aware of those possibilities of the cars ahead. If he was holding it around the outside of Max for sure I would’ve been fine, as I was battling with Lewis, not with those cars ahead.”
Despite the tatty front wing, Russell did persevere to snare fastest lap and finish in fifth place. Expanding on the damage, he continued: “Initially we didn’t think there was much, but I’ve got to say it was probably the worst Sunday of my year. I was sort of nowhere with regards to the pace. It was a bit all over the place – the balance was inconsistent through the stint, and through the lap.”
As an unintended consequence, Russell built his lead over Sainz from five to 16 points in the run for fourth in the drivers’ standings.