Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Austrian GP: Stewards say no fault in Raikkonen/Alonso crash

The Austrian Grand Prix Formula 1 stewards have declared that no driver was at fault in the collision between Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso on the opening lap

Alonso's McLaren ended up on top of Raikkonen's Ferrari between Turns 2 and 3 after Raikkonen lost control, giving Alonso nowhere to go.

TV pictures were not clear regarding the cause of Raikkonen's problem, but after investigating the clash the FIA decided "no driver was at fault."

Raikkonen said of the stewards' interview: "They just wanted to understand what happened.

"It was a really odd place, quite far away from the corner. Whether it was my fault or not it was the same end result.

"I got some wheelspin and suddenly moved left. I don't know exactly what caused it."

Ferrari is looking into what happened to Raikkonen, but so far it is unsure.

When asked if there was a problem on the car, Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said: "Honestly I don't think so.

"I thought Alonso touched Kimi, but apparently it's not true. Alonso doesn't have any responsibility.

"Apparently there's no images on the camera of Alonso so we have to trust Kimi.

"He said the car had wheelspin and that's it. Alonso didn't touch him."

Arrivabene also dismissed suggestions Raikkonen suffered the same problem that caused him to spin in the Canadian Grand Prix shortly after a pitstop.

"We don't think so," he said. "This time it was on the straight."

Alonso suggested the fact Raikkonen was starting on softs among a group of cars on super-softs could have been a factor.

"I think starting with the prime tyre he had less grip than us so out of Turn 2 he started wheelspinning and losing the car a little bit," said the McLaren driver.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Pastor Maldonado says Max Verstappen went too far in Austrian GP
Next article Austrian GP: Ferrari F1 chief Arrivabene attacks 'stupid' wheelnuts

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe