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Williams Formula 1 driver George Russell says that his Belgian Grand Prix crash was the “biggest crash I’ve had” and that he was “doomed” whichever way he went to avoid the debris from Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo.
Giovinazzi spun into the barriers at the exit of Fagnes on lap 11 and then a loose wheel from the Alfa Romeo careered into the path of Russell – striking the Williams car before Russell crashed heavily into the barriers alongside Giovinazzi.
Both drivers extricated themselves from the car unaided, but the accident triggered a safety car period and looked particularly nasty on TV cameras.
“It was pretty scary seeing that massive rear tyre flying across the circuit with no idea where it was going to go” :: George Russell
Russell said after the race that he could see Giovinazzi’s accident – which the Italian driver put down to “a snap of oversteer on the exit” – unfolding but was left with nowhere to go when trying to take avoiding action.
“I saw Antonio hit the wall, I managed to have a second to decide whether to go left or right,” said Russell.
“As I saw him coming out of the wall and staying slightly to the right, I committed to the left and I think suddenly he got flicked over by one of his rear wheels and that launched across and hit my car.
“I was doomed if I went right as then I’d have crashed into him and I was doomed if I went left because I hit his wheel.
“For a split second, it was pretty scary seeing that massive rear tyre flying across the circuit with no idea where it was going to go, so I’m thankful for the halo because I know, in hindsight, even if that was heading towards me I would have been safe.
“We’re all very lucky to have that system.
“When I got back I had messages from all my family just asking if I was OK.
“That is also why I said on the radio message straightaway I was fine as I think that’s the biggest thing for my parents not coming to the races anymore, not only that they can’t support me but if anything were to happen there, they’re not here.
“But definitely probably the most dramatic incident I’ve had in Formula 1, no doubt. And to be honest, so far. I’ve only had a couple of offs. So it was the biggest crash I’ve had.”
Russell said that he did not require any medical attention following the crash and paid tribute to the safety of modern-day F1.
He also admitted he finds it surprising accidents involving loose wheels are not more common.
“The amount of force that you hit the barriers, you need something incredibly impressive to be able to hold it on,” Russell added.
“And that’s what we need to work towards because the reality is, obviously I was unfortunate for it to hit my car today but that could hit a marshal or somebody in the crowd so that’s the most important thing.
“Year on year F1 are taking massive steps on safety and from every incident, you learn the limitations and obviously this is something that needs to be improved.
“The actual impact was not that huge when I hit the barriers. I was doing 200km/h when the wheel hit my car, or just before the corner that was how fast I was going, so it’s pretty fast. But I was all fine.
“[I’m] incredibly grateful of the era we are in. How safe these cars are. But like we saw last year with Antoine [Hubert], motorsport is still incredibly dangerous.
“It doesn’t matter how safe you make the cars, when you are travelling at these speeds there’s always going to be an element of danger.
“But this is what we do, this is what we love. I’ll be jumping in next Friday with all of this behind me and moving forward into that weekend.”
