F1 race red-flagged after George Russell and Valtteri Bottas’ crash at Imola

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A dramatic collision between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas caused a red-flag at Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with the pair facing off in anger shortly after.

The one-race team-mates from last season were not on the same wave-length during the closing stages of the race – and both ended up having to retire early.

Russell was left furious at Bottas, approaching his car and slapping him on the helmet while he was still in his Mercedes, with both teams left confused.

The Mercedes team asked over their intercom: "Are you OK?"

With Bottas replying: "That was a big one. All good."

Bottas looked to be defending to the inside as Russell approached, with a wheel spin following for the Englishman on either the white line or grass."

Despite some debate over who was to blame, Russell asked his Williams colleagues: "What the xxxx was he doing?! Honestly is he a xxxx or what?!!!"

Lewis Hamilton remained in the race despite a series of errors, but recriminations are ikley to take place when F1 chiefs take at look at the incident between Russell and Bottas.

Former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think there was space for Russell. I think that incident is on George."

The clean up job started immediately with plenty still to be decided, with Nicholas Latifi having already crashed and Mick Schumacher doing the same under a safety car.

Hamilton had taken his 99th F1 pole before the eventual day of racing, edging out Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

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