Video playback changed Ricciardo’s mind about the Bottas Mexico F1 crash

Daniel Ricciardo says he changed his mind about who was to blame when he saw a video replay of his first corner collision with Valtteri Bottas at the Mexico Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver got tangled up with Bottas when they touched on tight Turn 1 in Mexico City. Bottas was spun around while Ricciardo broke his front wing and had to pit for repairs.

During the race, Ricciardo said he kicked himself in the feet for feeling like he caused the incident, but he says he saw a video replay afterwards that gave him a different point of view.

“My memory of the first corner was that I obviously had a very good start and it looked pretty good,” said the Australian.

“I went inside [Sergio] Perez and I remember that we closed once. When I played it through in my head for the next 70 laps, I thought I was locked and went to Valtteri. So obviously I kicked myself.

“But then, when you watch the replay, it looked like I was locked in on the straight and then actually recovered before I turned. And it looked like there just wasn’t enough space.

“Obviously Valtteri came by, probably expecting to have a bit of clearance, and then there was Perez and I. So of course I’m not blaming Valtteri.

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“I’m the one who hit him. But to be honest, when I watch the replay I just think it’s a first-round incident and I might be optimistic. “

The FIA ​​stewards watched the clash briefly to see if an investigation was warranted, but decided it was simply a racing incident.

Despite the result, Ricciardo felt that he had done the right thing to fill a small void that was there.

“I feel like it’s one of those loopholes: if you don’t, someone else will, and then you’ll get the short end of the straw,” he said.

“Of course I’m disappointed. And I’ll still be tough on myself and never ruin my race on the first lap.

“But let’s say if it’s possible to feel better, I’ll feel a little better after seeing the repetition. And it was a bit of a hit indeed. But we know that these cars don’t take much damage. “