World champion, Lewis Hamilton offers encouragement to George Russell following the Briton's apology to Mercedes teammate for Imola clash.

Other than who exactly was responsible for Sunday's incident in which George Russell and Valtteri Bottas collided at one of the most dangerous sections of the infamous Imola circuit, one of the main talking points was the reaction of Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolff.

Admitting that under the newly introduced budget cap, repairs to the W12 could compromise the team's update programme, the Austrian suggested that Russell shouldn't have been battling his driver in the first place, even though they were fighting for ninth-place at the time.

When, on Monday evening, Russell issued an apology to the Finn, sceptics understandably wondered not so much whether the Briton actually wrote the words but whether the apology was actually intended for Wolff and his fellow Mercedes bosses.

Among those responding to Russell's apology was Lewis Hamilton, who could well find himself teammate to the Briton next season, or, should he opt to retire, could be replaced by the youngster.

"Strength comes from vulnerability," wrote the seven-time world champion. "If you don't make the mistake you can never learn the lesson.

"Respect for taking responsibility," he added. "Onto the next one."

Earlier in the weekend, Hamilton had offered similar words of comfort to Lando Norris, following the McLaren driver's regret at a mistake which cost him the front row on Sunday.

"Nobody can knock you for giving it your all," wrote Hamilton. "Amazing lap, it's great to see you and the team shine. Move on, let's race."

In the closing stages of Sunday's race, the pair got to battle for second behind Max Verstappen, until the Mercedes driver eventually got the better of his McLaren rival.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by aroutis, 22/04/2021 9:50

"Only people that don't try hard will not make mistakes.
So , George Russel made a mistake, big deal. Btw, was he the only one? I don't think so, I don't really care either.
The real problem here is Toto Wolff and his unsportsmanship which is becoming an issue for F1.
"

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2. Posted by SexyLadyRacer, 21/04/2021 6:21

"Lewis Hamilton is purely stating the facts to George Russell, elder statesman or not!
The 'Vulnerability' is, as with all racing drivers, the temptation to go for a gap that inevitably be nonexistent if you haven't read the track properly! In this case, there was only one single dry line which goes from left to right before the left hand corner! Russell didn't read the track properly!

The other point that Hamilton was making is that now that you have taken responsibility for the mistake, and have learnt that valuable lesson, then don't do this again when you are my team mate next season! "

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3. Posted by kenji, 21/04/2021 0:30

"I cannot see where the Russell incident exhibited any 'vulnerability' that would lead Hamilton to spout the words of 'pop psych' American Brene Brown. IMO this surely has to be just another lame PR exercise aimed at attempting to create an 'elder statesman' image. Alternatively some interpretations of vulnerability look at the 'ego' in depth as being a large part of the issues that determine what it means to be vulnerable. If Hamilton is inferring this then that is certainly backing Wolff's outburst...like how dare you pass a factory car? Who do you think you are? Is that being cynical....it certainly is."

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4. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 20/04/2021 22:33

"It's good to see Sir Lewis acting like a 7-times World Champion and giving unsolicited advice and guidance to the younger drivers."

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5. Posted by jcr, 20/04/2021 19:12

"Dont often agree with Hammi, but have to in this one, If you dont go for it you shouldnt be there !!
And Totos Arrogance showed his true sportsmanship. Or lack of !!!
Keep going George."

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6. Posted by Mad Matt, 20/04/2021 16:15

"If Lewis were an animal he'd be a cat with the number of lives he's had, no sorry, forget that, he'd be two cats :-)

Don't get me wrong he's clearly a great driver but also a lucky one :-)"

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Hamilton: If you don't make mistakes you can never learn the lesson

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