Daniel Ricciardo News: RB Driver Reveals Reason Behind Crash At Japanese Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo's early exit from the Japanese Grand Prix took him out of the race on the first lap. Reflecting on the crash between him and Alex Albon, he reveals what led to the incident.

Key Takeaways:

• Ricciardo attributed the crash to a tyre choice decision, opting for mediums over softs, which compromised his start.
• The collision with Alex Albon was deemed a racing incident by stewards, with no further action taken.
• Ricciardo views the crash as a one-off event, not reflective of his season's performance.

In the aftermath of a dramatic exit from the Japanese Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about the chain of events that led to his early crash, firmly denying any notion that it stemmed from growing pressure. Starting from 11th position at Suzuka, Ricciardo experienced a less-than-ideal launch, a direct consequence of his tyre choice—a decision he now reflects on with hindsight.

"We definitely got gobbled up on that medium," Ricciardo conveyed to the media. “That was weird because the cars in front of us looked like they got off the line well. He detailed the unfolding of the first lap, where attempts to navigate the crowded field resulted in a collision with Albon. "It just looks like Yuki and I didn’t have the grip that we anticipated and as soon as we launched I could see Bottas and Hulkenberg just split us and go around."

Ricciardo's recount of the incident paints a vivid picture.

"And then into One, I was in the middle with Yuki and an Alpine. And into Turn Two I thought ‘all right, let’s just settle’. And as soon as I got on the throttle, I was still struggling so then I think Stroll was on the outside so I was trying to hold him off and then I guess as I started to come back for Three Albon was there.

“I watched his onboard and yeah, I mean I don’t even know if he wanted to be there but his traction was so much better on the soft that he was like, well, there’s space until there wasn’t. I didn’t see him.

“But honestly, I always assume maybe someone is there at One. I never tried to let’s say use the full width of the track and be completely ignorant. But yeah, I guess there was obviously not enough room.

“All things considered, if we could wind back the clock, I would start on the softs. But for the record, I wanted to be on the medium. That’s not something I fought against but knowing what we know now the softs would have been a lot a lot better for us.”

Despite the unfortunate outcome, the Australian is viewing the incident as a singular event rather than a symptom of broader issues.

“I think also yesterday, I was obviously frustrated not to not to make it by half a 10th [into Q3]. But there were some positives, there were some things that we felt like we could probably show today.

“Lap One incidents, they’re the worst because there’s always those questions, ‘Oh, what could have been, maybe we could have done this’. So yeah, shame for not only us as a team, but Alex, and you never want to see someone go out on Lap One.”

"I think today is a singular moment, I guess in terms of… I don’t look at today and think, ‘Oh man this year, like when it rains, it pours or whatever’. I feel it was just one of those things," he explained.

Ricciardo and Albon's accounts aligned with the evidence reviewed, leading to a consensus that the incident was simply a racing incident.

Here is the full stewards' statement:

"The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 3 (Daniel Ricciardo), the driver of Car 23 (Alexander Albon), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, external and in-car video evidence.

"The explanations of both drivers were aligned as to the facts of the incident. On the approach to Turn 3, the driver of Car 3 noticed Car 18 on his left and stated that he wanted to give that car sufficient room.

"He stated he then looked to the apex of Turn 3. He did not see Car 23 on his right. The driver of Car 23 stated that he thought he could overtake Car 3 on the outside, into Turn 3, but then suddenly realised that Car 3 had not seen him, applied the brakes but could not avoid the contact with Car 3.

"Accordingly we determine this to be a first lap incident and decide to take no further action. If this incident had occurred on a subsequent lap, or without the presence of the third car (Car 18), a different determination would have been made.

"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.

"Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented."