Lance Stroll believes he gave Fernando Alonso enough room to avoid a collision after the two were involved in a spectacular crash at the F1 2022 United States Grand Prix.
It all happened shortly after the Safety Car restart on Lap 22 as the Spaniard looked to pass the Canadian along the back straight.
Alonso made contact with Stroll’s left rear tyre, which launched his Alpine into the air. He landed and then struck the barrier but was able to continue, while Stroll‘s race came to an end.
Speaking to the media after the race Stroll admitted he moved late, but felt he left Alonso more than enough room to get past.
“It was a good start to the race,” said Stroll. “Everything was feeling good in the car.
“We were in a good position in third and then the contact with Fernando was a shame. It was close wheel-to-wheel racing and unfortunately just made contact.
“I definitely moved late, but there was a big difference in speed. I was judging more or less kind of thinking where he was behind me.”
“It’s not like I hit him on the side of his car, the impact was still his front wing to the rear of my car. And I gave him plenty of room on the left of the track.”
Stroll handed grid penalty
The stewards met with both drivers after the race to review the incident, with Stroll handed a three-place grid drop for next week’s F1 2022 Mexican Grand Prix, along with two penalty points on his license.
“It was clear to us that the driver of (Car No. 18) made a late move in reacting to the overtaking attempt by the driver of (Car No. 14) by moving to the left,” the decision read.
“The stewards determine that the driver of (Car No. 18) was predominantly to blame.”
