Daniel Ricciardo Hopes to Brave ‘Unlucky Guy’ Carlos Sainz Over Race-Ending Imola GP Debacle

It was a long and painful afternoon for Daniel Ricciardo as he finished last at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The McLaren driver made contact with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and took him out of the race. While the Aussie driver was apologetic for his part in the collision, he explained he could not avoid the crash.

Ricciardo got off to a superb start but could go nowhere. At the first chicane, he took a bit of the curb that was a bit slippery and slid into the Spanish driver.

Although he tried his hardest to avoid the crash and give Sainz the necessary space, the wet curb caught him out.

Daniel Ricciardo expresses remorse after Carlos Sainz crash

Although, the McLaren driver was initially unaware of how the collision occurred. But he accepted his part in the collision and mentioned that he might apologize to Sainz in person.

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“Obviously intentions were, in a way, good to try and, let’s say, leave some room. But in those conditions obviously I didn’t have the grip I was hopeful for, slid up into him and ruined his race as well.”

“I’ll go and see Carlos. I’m sure he was in [the media area] already, but go and see what I can do now to apologize and just try and move on for Miami,” said Daniel.

Despite Ricciardo‘s apologetic comments, Sainz was not happy with the result and mentioned that he had to pay for Daniel’s mistake. “It’s tough. “I’m not happy, and it’s tough to go through it, especially in a home race like this with all the Tifosi, getting the support from them, wanting to do a good race for them”

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“Yes, as I said, the start wasn’t great; we will analyze why but it was still a long race ahead and for some reason, I was the unlucky guy that for someone’s mistake, I had to pay. It’s how it is,” said Carlos.

The disappointment was quite palpable for both drivers at the end of the race. But hopefully, they can talk and discuss amongst each other and move on to the next race. True to his word, Riccardo did go over to smooth things over to Sainz in the Ferarri garage.