Christian Horner: “The drivers screwed up”

Many times, Daniel Ricciardo et Max Verstappen faced each other without exceeding the limit in Baku before the 40th round. However, the two teammates had already touched each other at the exit of the first turn without this having any serious consequences on their race.

But just before the last ten laps, Daniel Ricciardo's attempt, following the Dutchman's aspiration in the endless straight of the urban route, resulted in a collision which would have been well beyond the general staff of Milton Keynes.

Ricciardo attempted to trap Verstappen by first going to the outside of the line, then shifting again to slide onto the inside of the first corner. But Max Verstappen also chose at this moment to defend his position.

Contact was almost inevitable sending the two RB14s into the loophole at the end of the straight.  “The drivers both recognize that they messed up today and will apologize to the team, asserts Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, quoted by Sky Sports.

They touched each other earlier in the race, we told them to calm down a little, but we don't want to interfere. They have been very good at this so far. We've always said leave room and then we'll let them run. They did this during the race until this unfortunate incident. »

“The incident itself, it's difficult, I thought there was an opening inside and once I was there I had to commit. » indicates for his part Daniel Ricciardo.

“I don't think we need to say blame, at the end of the day we race for a team, we represent a lot of people and when that happens it's not good for both of us, says Verstappen.

This has happened before and we learn from it, we need to make sure it doesn't happen again... I don't think letting us run anymore is the way to go but we'll talk about it. »

The commissioners impose two reprimands

Summoned before the commissioners, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen each received a reprimand (the first of the year for the two teammates) for the incident. Here are the decisions of the race director:

“Both drivers contributed to the collision. The driver of car no. 33 (Verstappen) made two relatively minor movements. The driver of car #3 (Ricciardo) admitted that he had delayed his movement to overtake to the left, too late.

It is obvious to the commissioners that if the incident originated in the movement of No. 33, No. 3 also contributed to the incident. Both drivers expressed regret over their involvement in the incident during the hearing with the stewards. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Baku, in AUTO issue 2163hebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Thursday on newsstands.