Vettel apologises to Ocon for Bahrain collision
Vettel apologises to Ocon for Bahrain collision
Esteban Ocon and Sebastian Vettel have put their Bahrain Grand Prix differences aside after the German apologised for their collision during the race.
Ocon was hit from behind by Vettel on the approach to turn one, sending the Alpine spinning into the run-off area and facing the wrong way.
Vettel had pulled back in behind Ocon after being passed under DRS, but the sudden loss of downforce on his front wing caused the front brakes to lock, resulting in contact.
The four-time champion initially blamed Ocon for the incident, believing the French driver had cut back across him, only for replays to disprove his assumption, while the stewards made clear he was wholly to blame and handed him a 10-second time penalty.
Ocon, who eventually finished 13th, said: "There was a lot of wheel-to-wheel fights with Yuki [Tsunoda], with Antonio [Giovinazzi], with Seb. Obviously, with Seb, it did not end up well.
“We were out of the points. Seb came and apologised, it can happen but it’s a shame we didn’t get the result that we wanted in this race."
Vettel entered the opening weekend of the new season with an unblemished Super Licence but his misdeeds across the weekend, including ignoring double-waved yellow flags in qualifying, has marked the Aston Martin driver's card with five points.
If a driver accrues 12 points over a 12-month period, a one-race ban is automatically applied. Vettel received two points for the Ocon incident and three for his qualifying infringement.
Of his contact with Ocon, the German said: “I was sure he was leaving me space on the left but then he crossed back and as soon as I was behind him I locked up and couldn’t avoid hitting him.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Hamilton and Verstappen rivalry takes SHOCK twist as F1 team 'set to announce' mega signing
- 1 hour ago
Horner Red Bull saga in new 'evidence' update as big F1 star left 'very angry' - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Cocky sporting legend CHALLENGES Hamilton in stunning claim
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo boss in 'super disappointing' claim amid RB stars' performance
- Yesterday 21:57
F1 team 'set to announce MEGA signing' in major Red Bull challenge
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner in BRUTAL Wolff swipe amid Verstappen to Mercedes links
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
F1 boss delivers team SALE verdict with new targets set
Alonso hints at another EXTENSION to F1 career
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860