Max Verstappen has taken responsibility for his collision with Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but
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The run-in between the two drivers occurred just seconds after the lights went out at Yas Marina. Verstappen, starting fourth, launched well off the line and attempted to move up the inside of Piastri's McLaren heading into Turn 1.
But as the pair jostled for position, Verstappen misjudged the shrinking gap, clipping the left rear wheel of Piastri's car and sending him tumbling down the order.
The contact could have had dire consequences for McLaren's constructors' championship hopes, but a commanding victory from Lando Norris and a gritty recovery drive to 10th from Piastri ensured the team secured its first constructors' title in 26 years.
Verstappen, who also spun but was able to immediately continue on his way engulfed in the midfield, was candid when reflecting on the clash, admitting he had made the wrong call in trying to force the move.
“My launch was good and then I tried to grab the inside and I quickly realized, once I committed to it, that the gap was closing and I wanted to try and get out of it, because I didn't want to naturally, of course, crash with Oscar,” he said after concluding his sixth day.
“But unfortunately, we still clipped each other, but I already apologized to Oscar, it is not what you want to happen, and especially not with him. He's a great guy but it happened, and it is a bit unfortunate.
“The thing was that, when you're in that position, you're focusing on the car ahead...you commit. When you start first or second, you never really look behind.
“So I went for it, and then I realized, 'shit, he doesn't see me there.' So I was like trying to get out of it, but then we still clipped.”
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Piastri, though frustrated by the incident, accepted Verstappen's apology with grace. The Australian reflected on the move with a hint of disappointment but emphasized that McLaren's constructors' triumph made up for his challenging race.
“Probably, yes,” Piastri said when asked if Verstappen's move was overly optimistic. “But he came and apologized straight away. The stewards deemed there was a penalty, so we go again next year.
“It was a tough race from then on, but again, we achieved our main objective today, and that's all that matters.
“It was a pretty miserable race for myself, but of course, the biggest thing today is we clinched the championship. It's a massive credit to everyone at McLaren for what they've achieved this year, and I couldn't be proud of them all.”
The stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, a decision that clearly frustrated the Dutchman. While he didn't deny his responsibility for the incident, Verstappen didn't hold back in criticizing the severity of the punishment.
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Speaking to his team over the radio shortly after the ruling, Verstappen labeled the stewards “idiots” in a moment of frustration. Later, in the media pen, I addressed the decision with biting sarcasm.
“Of course, that is on me,” Verstappen admitted. “But I was expecting maybe 20 seconds, 30 seconds, I don't know, stop and go!”
“So maybe something to talk about for next time,” he continued. “I don't understand anything anymore, but it's fine, whatever. I'm not going to get angry about stuff like that. It's not worth my time.
“Like I said, the most important thing is that I apologize to Oscar, and that's it.”
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