Sergio Perez and George Russell each say that there was little else they could do to avoid making contact on the opening lap of Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Perez attacked Russell for position as the cars headed into Turn 4, attempting to move ahead of the Mercedes driver around the outside.
However, Russell’s front left tyre hit the rear of Perez, who was spun around and pitched into the gravel.
Although the Mexican was able to return to the circuit, the damage dealt to his car forced Red Bull to call him into the pits to retire the car.
Perez says that as he was in front of Russell when the contact was made, it was up to the Briton to ensure no crash occurred.
“There was nothing that I could have done differently,” Perez said. “I’m going straight into the gravel to make sure he has a free road.
“I gave him enough room, he had enough room to do the move. It was up to him to control the car. I was clearly ahead.
“I don’t know what else to say, I was clearly ahead. I had the position, it was down to him to avoid the contact.
“It is very frustrating, it is lap one of the race, it was important to go without any incidents out there.”
Russell, who was handed a five-second time penalty for the incident, asserts that he was on the limit trying to avoid a collision.
“Obviously it was frustrating to have a first lap incident like that,” he said. “I feel the penalty was harsh. I braked as hard as I could, I was steering as much as I could.
“I had Carlos ahead of me and Checo was on the clean line on the outside. I knew as soon as he turned in we were going to make contact because I was already on the limit of my car. The angle he was coming in, I couldn’t do more.
“In the letter of the law, I was wrong, because if the attacking driver on the outside is ahead, the guy on the inside needs to leave space.
“But from the second I braked, there was nothing more I could have done. I was already on the limit of my car. That was harsh.”
driving for merc appears to have gone to russell’s head ! he seems to be involved in an incident in nearly every race…..o wait, he also had incidences when he was with williams too ! he needs to sit back and consider his position as president of gpda.
I disagree, Mr Perez does not learn does he, how many times has he been in the gravel run off on turn 4 at the Austrian GP?
It’s good to see that there is enough remaining of the real Russell that he can admit he was in the wrong. I fear that prolonged contact with Wolff and Hamilton will erode his naturally amicable personality.