Hamilton offers moral support to bummed out Russell

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A low-spirited George Russell received a big boost of encouragement from Lewis Hamilton on social media after Sunday's Emilia Romagna GP.

Russell was on the verge of securing his first points in F1 at Imola, the Williams driver running tenth when the Safety Car was deployed just 12 laps from the end of the race to allow the marshals to retrieve the beached Red Bull of Max Verstappen from the gravel trap at Variante Villeneuve.

However, in an effort to keep his tyres warm during the caution period, Russell overdid it on the run into the first Acque Minerali right-hander, planting the Williams in the barrier.

It was a massive blow for the young Brit who was bewildered by his own "stupid mistake", sitting for lengthy period behind the barrier pondering his painful fate.

Read also - Russell: 'Stupid mistake' in Emilia Romagna GP 'just gutting'

Later on, Russell took to Instagram to own up to the blunder.

"I’ll never forget this day, this mistake. I’ll learn from it, be stronger for it. I’m so sorry, to the whole team. No excuses," he wrote.

Noting the post, Hamilton responded with a few uplifting words.

"George, you were giving it your all," wrote the days's winner. "It’s ok to make mistakes and it’s ok to feel the pain. I’ve made more than I can remember.
"You’re great bud. Keep your head up and keep pushing, on to the next one!👊🏾"

Others from the F1 community followed suit.

Haas' Romain Grosjean - a man who has endured more than his fair share of self-inflicted wounds - wrote: "Man, I know the feeling. Will take some time to forget it, but what you do is mega. Keep pushing."

And F1 veteran and Channel 4 commentator David Coulthard also offered a comforting message.

"Small blip in a long career ahead of you in F1," wrote the Scot. "Don’t worry about and keep showing us what you’re made of."

Finally, on Monday morning, Russell took to Twitter to thank his many fans for the massive wave of support.

Yesterday sucked. But that feeling only makes me more determined to keep pushing, keep improving and keep getting stronger. Know that every one of your messages gives me that same motivation. Thank you for the incredible support, it means a lot

"Yesterday sucked," wrote the Williams driver. "But that feeling only makes me more determined to keep pushing, keep improving and keep getting stronger. Know that every one of your messages gives me that same motivation. Thank you for the incredible support, it means a lot."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.