Russell looking to make amends for Imola horror show

George Russell is aiming for a big performance when he returns to Imola this weekend, over six months on from his crash behind the safety car at the historic track. The Williams F1 driver hit the sidewall when attempting to warm up cold tyres, but this weekend's race provides the perfect opportunity for him to exercise last year's demons - and hopefully achieve a good result for the team in the process. “I made what is probably the biggest mistake of my career at Imola in 2020 when crashing under the Safety Car,” Russell told F1.com. “It’s a track where, if you make a mistake, you’re out. But that’s what racing should be about! I’ll look to try and rectify my mistake from last year with a good result this weekend.” The 23-year-old's infamous error at the Italian circuit potentially cost him the first F1 point of his career, as he was sitting in 10th position at the moment of impact. Nevertheless, the traumatic experience hasn't tarnished his love of Imola, or its punishing configuration. “Imola is a fantastic circuit. It’s very fast and you really need to be committed," Russell added. "It also has a lot of character that the newer tracks sometimes lack, and you feel that when you’re bouncing over the kerbs. I’m very happy that the track is back on the calendar this season.”