Bottas reprimanded for clash with Grosjean

This is a verdict which will perhaps restore the image of Romain Grosjean, too often quickly accused as soon as he is involved in a skirmish on the track. 

As he was preparing to negotiate turn 11 at the end of the second long straight of the Yas Marina circuit in Free Practice 2, the Frenchman was caught by Valtteri Bottas. 

The Finn, author of the best time of the day, dove inside at the last moment and from quite a distance. Some people were quick to say that Grosjean was at fault, particularly because the driver Haas had checked his mirrors several times and therefore knew that his rival Mercedes was approaching. 

The commissioners at the last meeting of the year decided otherwise. After summoning the two men and viewing the videos of the accident, they judged that the Finn’s attempt looked like “ a missed overtake leading to a collision ”, according to the terms of the official report. 

As a result, Bottas received a reprimand, his first of the season. 

« I feel like he didn't really see me coming inside, the Finn commented before the sanction fell. I'm sorry for the collision but there was no way I could have vanished. I tried to overtake him and we know the rest ». 

Before this incident, the 2019 vice-champion had experienced a full day on a circuit where he had often performed well in the past (victory in 2017) and finished Friday at the top of the timesheet. 

« It was a very good day on the trackhe analyzed.  I have a new engine so it was necessary to make some adjustments naturally but from the first laps, I felt comfortable and the balance of the car was satisfactory ». 

Bottas will not have the opportunity to show off his speed in qualifying as he is already condemned to start from the back of the grid to have several new engine elements after the breakdown he suffered in Brazil.