Valtteri Bottas apologises for causing incident that turned the Hungarian Grand Prix on its head.

After a poor start which saw him lose positions to Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, and even allow Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly to close in, Bottas lost it under braking for Turn 1.

Hitting Norris from behind, which forced the McLaren into Verstappen, the Finn then careered into the second Red Bull of Perez.

Despite the mayhem that ensued, Bottas was only investigated for the clash with Norris, the stewards hitting the Mercedes with a 5-place gird penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix.

"I had a poor start with lots of wheelspin off the line, lost a couple of places and then into Turn 1, I was right on the gearbox of Lando and locked the wheels," explained Bottas.

"I misjudged the braking point," he admitted, "it's always difficult starting a race in those conditions, you're always ‘guesstimating' grip levels and today I got it wrong.

"I've spoken to Lando and Checo to apologise, it was my bad today and sometimes you have to hold your hands up."

"I'm angry because I was in third place," said Norris. "I had a very good start and on lap one it is game over already.

"There are four or five people here because a couple of people just try way too hard," he continued, gesturing towards the media pen. "They think they can be a hero, and out-brake themselves and it ruins everyone's race.

"Everyone knows that it is slippery, it is wet," he added. "Everyone makes mistakes at some point, and sometimes it is on lap one, but it is also lap one. It is a long race. Bottas has a much quicker car, and he probably would've passed me at some point in the race.

"I don't know what goes through their minds sometimes to try and do things like that."

"Bottas made a big mistake and braked too late into Turn 1 which took out a lot of cars, including me and caused bad damage to Max's car," added Perez.

"He came to me and apologised as he knew it was his mistake, and although it was not on purpose and is how racing goes sometimes, it doesn't make a difference to the result for us right now as the large amount of damage ended our race and opportunity for points."

"A difficult start for Valtteri," admitted Toto Wolff, "he suffered wheelspin off the line and found himself sandwiched into the first corner and missed the braking point.

"A small mistake with large consequences and damage to several cars," he added. "I'm sorry to McLaren and Red Bull, to lose out in an accident like that at the start of the race is tough to take."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 05/08/2021 23:58

"@ Batman...lots of points there, thanks for the response. I did say that 'no one is infallible' however Bottas is no rookie and he's driven in all conditions during his time in a racing car so he has a high degree of professional experience at his beck and call. That is his job, he does nothing else! At this exalted level of motor racing mistakes like this are not expected especially when conditions are extremely tricky. My major concern was the fact that had he simply run out of track and sidelined himself it wouldn't have mattered too much but to ruin the race for so many others is not only regrettable but should attract greater sanctions. Five place grid drop is really a drop in the bucket and he should've received a far stiffer penalty. The fact that he messed up his start should've flashed a red flag for him especially when the fast starting Norris breezed past. Finally I can only say that in my lifetime of driving that when I encounter rain, excessive winds, B Double transports, doubtful light and any other hazardous conditions I am always ultra sensitive to ensure that I'm in control. I simply don't trust other drivers!!!"

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2. Posted by Batman, 05/08/2021 17:04

"@ kenji
Try to see this has is my point ... we all motorsport fans get this guys in a higher place than a human being can ever be ... well perhaps in a distant future. That's passion. They say they're the best drivers in the world but ... no matter what, when or where, as soon as you play with your top edges capabylities, "misjudging" will be your middle name. You gonna try to hide it but the inevitability is one day you will have to assume it. This is valid for every and any kind of top high demanding job. That said, I've never experienced in real life things like dirty air, loss of downforce, slipstream and so on ... (experienced the results in a game simulation only) but it is obvious to me that Bottas has got in the slipstream of Norris and it was that that caught up Bottas by surprise. He did'nt get the downforce he was expecting. Its a mistake, no doubts about that but the time to intriduce a new variable in the brain was to litle even for a top professional driver. So an error but the first one of that kind for Bottas, as far I as remember. What I don't understand is the reaction of Norris because he knows perfectly well that onde day, he will not be able to hide that "misjudge" is his middle name anymore."

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3. Posted by kenji, 03/08/2021 22:47

"@ Batman....We are told that the F1 drivers are in fact the 'best in the world' driving the fastest racing cars in the world. A light rain shower, slightly wet track and a first corner crash fest! No one is infallible but basic driving knowledge dictates that cars on a wet track take longer to stop owing to the lack of adhesion...but why worry about that? These are the best drivers in the world....and someone else will pay for damage anyway!."

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4. Posted by Batman, 03/08/2021 15:00

"There's a solution to not never misjudge a bracking point in your racing driver career. There's a solution to never be envolved in a clash at any point in the race. Sadly ther's only one solution for both cases. Not drive in any car racing. Never."

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5. Posted by kenji, 03/08/2021 11:14

""A small mistake'? Really, that would be the understatement of the year!!!Tell that to the drivers who's race was totally ruined and faced with massive repair bills. Send them invoices for the crash repairs for this 'small mistake'. "

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Bottas: It was my bad today

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