Williams driver George Russell mentioned his relationship with Mercedes Formulation One boss Toto Wolff remained sturdy regardless of a pricey collision with Valtteri Bottas on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The Briton is a Mercedes protege, racing for a group utilizing Mercedes engines, and the high-speed crash with the Mercedes driver put each males out of the race and wrecked their vehicles.

Russell, who stuffed in for seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton to appreciable acclaim in Bahrain final yr after his compatriot contracted COVID-19, has apologised for his offended response afterwards.

He informed reporters on the Portuguese Grand Prix on Thursday that the incident was part of racing however he had made a “very poor judgement name” in confronting Bottas and suggesting the Finn had tried to kill them each.

“Toto and I’ve spoken extensively for the reason that incident however the contents of that may stay personal,” he mentioned.

“He is been very supportive, very constructive. Our relationship has not been broken in any respect following the incident, if something fairly the alternative.

“And likewise with all people at Williams. They’ve been extremely supportive, they need me to assault, go for alternatives. We’re proud to have been in that place. We have been in tenth place, combating for factors on benefit.”

Williams have scored just one level since 2018 however Russell was attempting to overhaul Bottas — whose seat he might take subsequent yr — on a slippery monitor for ninth place.

Wolff, whereas strongly crucial of Russell’s judgement, has additionally mentioned Bottas shouldn’t have been up to now down the sphere.

Russell mentioned there had been no guidelines of engagement laid down for future races however “only a bit extra commonsense” was wanted.

“If we discover ourselves combating a Mercedes once more we’ll be doing an excellent job… so hopefully we do discover ourselves in that circumstance,” he added.

“I am right here due to Mercedes, they received me by the junior ranks, they actually helped me into Formulation One and as a consequence they’re a household to me as Williams are a household to me.

“Lewis and Valtteri are group mates to me as Nicholas (Latifi) is a group mate to me. Primary rule as a racing driver is you do not conflict along with your group mates. That is behind us now, you reside and be taught and we’ll transfer on.”