Immediately following announcing a two-year contract extension with the team, the 27-year-old Spanish driver crashed twice in qualifying Q2 and in the final at the Imola circuit, watched by enthusiastic Ferrari fans. Sainz’s race ended in just two corners, despite having enough machines to compete for the podium.
The accident occurred in Tamburello Chicane, the first braking zone on the lap. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), who got on the curb on the inside side of Turn 2, disturbed his behavior and came into contact with Sainz who was running on the outside side. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), who was running behind him, was also involved in this.
Sainz had allowed Lando Norris (McLaren) to take the lead by Turn 2, but the race had just begun and he wasn’t impatient at all, leaving plenty of space for Ricardo. Insisted.
“I think I had plenty of space left for Daniel on the inside, but unfortunately he got on the curb and understeered and hit me. That’s it. It was a really unlucky race.”
“There was no way I might do it, but it can’t be helped.”
Unlike Sainz, he fell to the end, but Ricardo, who continued the race and finished at the bottom, said, “I didn’t want this, and I didn’t want to hurt someone else’s race. That’s for sure. I explained.
“As far as I can remember, I knew at some point that I would get stuck, so I headed towards the curb to make room for myself, but then I slipped down and went to him. I’ve gone. “
“It was good that I tried to leave a space between the cars, but in that condition I mightn’t get the grip I expected and slipped into contact, ruining his race. I also damaged the car. It was a tough race for the next 60 laps. “
After the race, Ricardo went to Sainz to apologize. Sainz explained the situation at that time as follows.
“He would have been painful, but the first thing he did following the race was to apologize for coming to Ferrari’s hospitality.”
“There were all the engineers, not just me. We are all grateful for his indication.”
“That was to enhance Daniel as an athlete and as a sportsman.”
“So Daniel has no grudges, because what happened to him might happen to anyone.”
In the 2022 F1 Round 4 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix final race held at the Imola Circuit on Sunday, April 24, Max Verstappen, who started from the pole position, gained a total of 22 wins and Sergio took second place. With Perez, Red Bull finished 1-2 for the first time in six years.
The next round, the Miami GP, set in the Miami International Autodrome, will begin with Free practice 1 on May 6th.
