Sergio Perez apologises to Carlos Sainz Jr for Bahrain GP clash
Carlos Sainz Jr has accepted an apology from fellow Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez after the Mexican turned the Spaniard's Bahrain Grand Prix into "a disaster"
Force India's Perez ran into the rear of Sainz's Toro Rosso on the second lap at the Sakhir circuit, causing damage to the car that eventually forced the latter to retire.
"It was another race where we had another chance to score a lot of points, but it all went nowhere in a first-corner accident that was completely unnecessary when you know how long the race is," said Sainz, when asked about the incident by Autosport.
"In the end the race was a disaster. There was no need to go for it like there is no tomorrow. I'm not happy.
"I was protecting myself from a McLaren. I covered him well, but suddenly a Force India came from nowhere and hit me.
"He [Perez] apologised because there was no question it was not the right thing to do at that stage of the race.
"It was sporting. Checo is a fair guy, and the first thing he did when he saw me was to give me a handshake and say 'Hey, sorry man'.
"There are no issues with Checo. It was just one of those days when it just didn't happen."
Sainz has vowed not to dwell too much on the incident, adding: "What happened is very frustrating so I need to be allowed to have my head down because it's not the right way to end a Sunday.
"After that you need to turn the page and know there are 19 more races to go.
"I will be back on it and ready to fight in China because the pace and speed are there."
The puncture from the collision, and the subsequent return to the pits, resulted in the car sustaining a severely-damaged floor and steering column.
With Sainz running at the rear of the field, and with no safety car coming into play to aid his cause, the team opted to save mileage by retiring.
Sainz felt particularly aggrieved given team-mate Max Verstappen finished sixth, but he recognises the Dutchman's performance highlighted what the car is capable of.
"We know we have a good car, even at a track that didn't suit us very much," added Sainz
"And we have shown we're competitive, especially with the alternative strategies if you don't get into Q3.
"So it's a lesson learned, and we know for the next race in China and the coming races we can be fast."
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