Sebastian Vettel accepted full responsibility for the collision with Max Verstappen during Formula 1’s British Grand Prix.
Vettel held only fifth spot during the opening phases but extended his first stint and profited when the Safety Car was deployed, in effect giving him a free stop.
Vettel emerged in third place but faced pressure from the recovering Verstappen, and was overtaken by the Dutchman through Stowe.
Vettel remained glued to the rear of Verstappen’s RB15 in the moments afterwards but ran into the back of his opponent under braking for the Club complex.
The pair both spun and while Verstappen continued to fifth place, Vettel was forced to pit for damage, eventually coming home 16th, having been handed a 10-second time penalty.
“Well it was my mistake,” said Vettel.
“He passed me into Stowe and he ran a bit wide which gave me the chance to come back.
“Then I thought, it looked for a second that he was going to the right and there would be a gap on the left which I was hoping to go in for.
“But it didn't open and by that time it was already too late and I was too close and I crashed.”
Vettel is now a full 100 points behind title leader Lewis Hamilton but says he can be upbeat over the manner in which his race unfolded, prior to the collision.
“Today was really good, I was really happy,” he said.
“There were some important moments in the beginning of the race and then we benefited from the Safety Car to pass the three cars in front.
“But I think it was quite tight between us and Red Bull and I think Max was a bit quicker than us today in the first stint and also in the end of the race.
“Probably we should have finished fourth but we didn’t… I didn’t, so I can’t be happy with that.”
