Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has sent Williams driver George Russell a message of🌠 encouragement following his race-ending crash at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

For the second year running at Imola, Russell lost the op♐portunity to score his first points for Williams after bei♕ng involved in a violent high-speed accident with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas while fighting over ninth place in Sunday’s race.

Russell and Bottas initially blamed each other for the crash, before the Briton is🍒sued a public apology to the Mercedes driver 🅠on Monday, acknღowledging that he should have “handled the whole situation better”.

“Emotions can run high in the heat of the moment and ꧒yesterday mine got the better of me,” Russell added.

“I apologise to Valtteri, to my team and to anyone who felt let down by my actions. T♚hat’s not who I am and I expect more from myself, as I know others expect more from me.

“I’v🌸e learned some tough lessons this weekend and will come out of this a better driver and a better person for the experience. Now it’s full focus on Portugal and a chance to show what I’m really about. Thanks for all the messages, both pos🐠itive and negative. They will all help me to grow.”

Commenting on Russell’s Instagram post, seven-time world chaꦍmpiꦓon Hamilton offered his support to his young compatriot.

“Strength comes f🐈rom vulnerability,” Hamilton wrote. "If you don’t make the mistake you can never learn the lesson. Respect for taking responsibility. On to th🐠e next one.”

Words of encouragement from the Champ

— Formula 1 (@F1)

It is the second time in two days that Hamilton h♑as spoke up for one of his fellow racers, having sent reassuring words to Lando Norris after the McLaren driver lost his career-best qualifying result due to a track limitsಞ infringement.

Norris went on to secure his second podium finish in F1 in Sunday's race, finishing one꧃ place behind Hamilton in third. 

how it started how it ended

— Formula 1 (@F1)