Verstappen: Kimi didn't expect me to be there

F1 News
Sunday, 01 September 2019 at 15:25
verstappen raikkonen crash spa 2019 1
Max Verstappen triggered a huge audible groan of disappointment as he crashed out of the Belgian Grand Prix a mere hundred or so meters from the start line.
From fifth on the grid, the Red Bull driver made an awful start and was swamped by several cars, including the Alfa Romeo of Kimi Raikkonen, but heading into the La Source it was a classic case of 'two-into-one-does-not-go' when the two collided.
Verstappen continued but ended up in the tyre barriers at the top of the Eau Rouge hill with a broken front suspension he incurred in the contact.
Raikkonen resumed despite getting airborne in the incident. He pitted for repairs and rejoined the field. Of course, they both blamed one another over their respective radios. This saga will, no doubt, have legs at the end of the race.
Replays show that Verstappen had nowhere to go as he aimed for the kerb on the very inside of the hairpin, while Raikkonen was unsighted as he turned into the apex. A typical La Source coming together.
The stewards deemed no investigation was required for what was a clear racing incident.
For 21-year-old Verstappen, it also meant his remarkable run of 21 consecutive top-five finishes comes to an end.
He said afterwards, "It was a poor start and I don't really know why but we'll look into it. I broke a little bit later than the cars ahead of me. Kimi didn't expect me to be there anymore, so we touched.
"It's not a feeling that I'm used to but that's racing and these things can happen. It's not going to be the best for us next week but we'll try to make the most of it."
Once again the hordes of Dutch fans were denied much track time by their young countryman who has had little luck in Belgium, the land of his birth.
The safety car was deployed as the #33 RB15 was cleared. At the same time, Carlos Sainz had an issue with the McLaren and was forced to DNF. This kept the safety car out a couple of laps longer
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