Russell: Relationship with Wolff “not damaged at all” by Bottas F1 crash

The Williams driver was left furious with Bottas after the pair came together while battling for position during the race at Imola, causing both to crash out at high speed.

Wolff was unimpressed by the collision and Russell’s suggestion that Bottas might have raced him differently were he not in direct competition for a Mercedes drive in 2022.

Russell issued an apology to Bottas for his actions 24 hours after the race and speaking a week on ahead of this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix, he insisted his relationship with Wolff has been strengthened rather than damaged by the incident.

“Toto and I have spoken extensively since the incident but the contents of that will remain private,” Russell said.

"But he’s been very supportive, very constructive, our relationship has not been damaged at all following the incident, if anything quite the opposite.”

Despite Wolff’s claim that Russell should be more careful when racing against a Mercedes car, the Briton insisted that no rules of engagement have been set out moving forward.

“Firstly, I think if we find ourselves fighting the Mercedes on track again we’d be doing a very good job and be in a very good position so hopefully we do find ourselves in those circumstances,” he explained.

“But definitely no rules of engagement, just a bit more of common sense and as I said you never go into any incident planning to crash and end your race and certainly not with a teammate.

"As I said I’m here because of Mercedes, they got me through the junior ranks, got me into Formula 1, and they’re a family, as Williams are family, and Lewis and Valtteri are team-mates to me as Nicholas is a team-mate to me. And the number one rule is you don’t crash with your teammates.

“That’s behind us now, we live and learn, and we’ll move on."