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George Russell reveals details of unanswered phone call to Valtteri Bottas
At the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, George Russell and Valtteri Bottas blamed each other for a collision that resulted in both drivers retiring from the race. The incident was significant because Russell was aiming to replace Bottas at Mercedes, a move that eventually happened at the end of 2021. Russell attempted to reach out to Bottas to discuss the crash but received no response. They have never spoken about the crash or Russell joining Mercedes, although they have regular conversations without any awkwardness. Months later, Mercedes confirmed that Russell would indeed replace Bottas as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate for the 2022 season. This tense relationship between Russell and Bottas stems back to 2020, when Russell temporarily replaced Hamilton and overtook Bottas, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Russell described it as a crucial opportunity to prove himself behind the wheel of a Mercedes.
Source: Crash
