In the latest Mercedes F1 debriefing video, technical director James Vowles looks back on the moment George Russell crashed and panicked over the on-board radio for a red flag.
“Anyone watching the race will have heard George's frantic radio message calling for a red flag,” said Allison. “George felt incredibly vulnerable. He knew he was in the middle of the track.”
“He knew he was on a very fast part of the track with corners that may have prevented him from being seen as others approached him. He was also lying in a way where he couldn't see if others were coming, but he knew there were other cars approaching him.”
“It was an incredibly vulnerable position to be in and he was in distress, he was vulnerable.”
However, the track marshals and race management reacted very quickly by immediately displaying yellow flags and declaring a virtual safety car. That is why, according to many, a red flag was not necessary and the last lap of the race could be completed.
“What he could not have known is how quickly the race management responded to the crash, how quickly the yellow flags were there, how quickly the virtual safety car came and I think that in itself it was a very good response from the entire marshalling system. ' to ensure that this vulnerable position was resolved.”
“He couldn't have known that. All he knew was the terrible position he was in and he wanted to make it known immediately.”