Carlos Sainz has admitted he “hurts” after colliding with Sergio Perez at Sunday afternoon’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver slammed into Red Bull’s Checo on the penultimate lap at Baku, where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed first place.
Now the pair have spoken out after blaming each other in post-race interviews, with Carlos detailing his pain after the crash. “It’s a real shame, the important thing is that we’re both okay after the crash but it’s obviously frustrating,” he said.
READ MORE: Sainz and Perez CRASH in horror final lap wreck in Baku
“I stayed on the normal racing line and didn’t do anything strange, the same as every other lap, so I didn’t expect the contact on my rear tyre. It’s part of racing but it hurts and we lost a lot of points today,” Carlos added.
In conclusion, he wrote on his website: “I was having a very good race and was very quick. I think P3 or even P2 would’ve been possible, but it is what it is. Time to turn the page and focus on Singapore”. Perez has also put out an official statement.
He said: “The most important of today it’s that Carlos and myself are ok after the incident. What a shame to end up such a good race in this way. The car was great all weekend and we were able to fight for the win all the way, specially after the great strategy if It wasn’t because of Lando holding off.
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READ MORE: Oscar Piastri WINS chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix
“But let’s turn the page and take all the positives, still a long way to go. And we race again in few days. Nevergiveup,” the update concluded. The FIA also reached a final verdict on the crash, concluding that neither driver was “predominantly at fault”.
“Sainz was on or close to his normal racing line, which forms a slight angle away from the right hand wall. From the exit to the point of contact he move approximately one car width further away from the wall. Perez moved approximately half a car width further away from the same wall, being more parallel to the right hand wall.
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“It was thus apparent that while ahead, and having the right to drive his line, Sainz did move slightly towards a car that he had limited vision of. At the same time, there was nothing unusual about Perez’s line, but he could have done more to avoid the car that he had better view of. In conclusion, the Stewards deem this to be a racing incident with neither driver being predominantly at fault, and take no further action.”
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