Canadian GP: Vettel 'lucky' to avoid Massa and Perez accident

The Force India and Williams went either side of Vettel's Red Bull as they tangled at high speed on the approach to Turn 1 on the last lap of the race. Both Perez and Massa were unhurt in the violent impact with the barriers, while Vettel continued to finish third.

The reigning Formula 1 world champion had overtaken Perez into the final chicane just prior to the clash.

"I saw they were close to each other, I saw something white coming in the mirror and I opened the car, turned right, and Felipe was in the air coming past," said Vettel.

"I was quite lucky and saw him just in time."

Vettel had spent the second half of the race queued behind team-mate Daniel Ricciardo as both chased second-placed Perez and the ailing Mercedes of leader Nico Rosberg.

The Red Bull-Renault's lack of power proved costly, reckoned Vettel, although Ricciardo was eventually able to overtake both Perez and Rosberg to win.

"It was difficult for us all the time, getting stuck behind the Force India," he said.

"We were just not quick enough down the straights. We lacked power.

"It's the first win for Renault in this new era of engines and they had a good comeback, but there's still plenty of work ahead of us as Mercedes is still ahead on the straights.

"After the first stop, until I caught Nico, basically my race was over.

"There was no way to get past, the Mercedes-powered cars were too quick and we were in trouble defending to Williams behind.

"At the very end, I was lucky to capitalise on Perez's brake problems which allowed me to be closer down the straights and make the move stick, but you could see with my DRS open and his closed, he was still gaining downs tragits.

"But this is what we are fighting."