Max Verstappen has accepted he was to blame for clashing with Sebastian Vettel during the Chinese Grand Prix, in what is the Dutchman's second collision with a rival in as many races.
Verstappen, who was on fresher tyres, found himself chasing down Vettel for second place but as they approached the Turn 14 hairpin, Verstappen locked a wheel as he attempted to pass the Ferrari driver and ended up colliding, send the pair into a spin.
That ultimately cost Verstappen a race victory as his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who was battling Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton behind, went on to win the race.
Verstappen was criticised in Bahrain for being too greedy when he collided with Hamilton and his latest collision will only reignite those comments, with race stewards handing him a ten-second penalty, which dropped him to fifth.
"I could see them [Vettel and Valtteri Bottas] struggling on the tyres," said the 20-year-old. "I tried to brake late into the corner and locked the rears a bit and hit him, so that was of course my fault."
Verstappen later admitted he should have taken a more cautious approach, given how much quicker he was than those ahead on older tyres.
“It’s not what you want and of course it’s easier to say afterwards I should have waited. It probably would have been the best idea, but unfortunately it happened.
“It’s just very unfortunate those things happening. I just need to analyse everything and try to come back stronger for the next race."
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