Williams rookie Lance Stroll believes he had the advantage at Turn 10 during his first-lap clash with Force India's Sergio Pérez that took him out of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Stroll, having qualified in 10th place, battled with the slow-starting Pérez around the opening lap, though their lines converged through the left-hander at Turn 10.
Stroll’s Williams was pitched off track and into the gravel with terminal damage, marking his second straight retirement, while Pérez was able to continue and finished the race in ninth place at the Shanghai International Circuit.
“I was hit from the rear at Turn 10 and that was the end of my race,” Stroll explained. “I was in front, knew the corner was mine and had to turn in eventually.
“It was just unfortunate as that was my race over. I got hit and then the car was broken, most likely with a puncture and damaged suspension.
“While it was difficult, we have some positives to take out of the weekend, as the qualifying was good even if the race was not what we wanted.”
Pérez added his thoughts on the clash: “It feels great to come away from an entertaining race with some more points. The start of the race was not easy because I made a very poor start and lost five or six places before turn one.
“As soon as I dropped the clutch, I went into wheel spin. I recovered some places during lap one, but then there was contact with Stroll in Turn 10, which gave me a puncture. I don’t think he saw me on the inside because he didn’t give me any space.”
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