Latifi levels blame at Stroll for bizarre qualifying crash

Nicholas Latifi has levelled the blame at Lance Stroll for the bizarre collision that ended qualifying for both drivers at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Williams driver crashed out of the opening part of qualifying for the second race in a row, although this time he had assistance in reaching the barriers.

Latifi slowed before turn five with two minutes to go in Q1 to let Stroll by but as the Aston Martin driver slowed on the run to turn six, the Williams attempted to jump back ahead.

Stroll moved right with the Alfa Romeo of Guanyu Zhou closing to the back of the Canadian duo but in doing so collected the rear-left corner of Latifi's car.

The incident will be investigated by the FIA race stewards after qualifying has concluded.

Addressing the incident, Latifi said: "For me, it’s quite clear. I’ve just seen the video. I just tried to go back past to prepare my out lap and he just turned into me once I was alongside him. So, not much more to say beside that.

"I let him through because he was pushing, so I was told, then I saw he aborted the lap so I wanted to get carried on with my own preparation lap so I went by him.

"There was a big gap and once I got past him, for whatever reason he decided to turn. It’s clear for me on the video, not much more to say."

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