Stoffel Vandoorne says there was “no way” he could have avoided the opening lap clash that scuppered his Austrian Grand Prix prospects.
Vandoorne was battling Force India’s Sergio Perez on the uphill run to Turn 3 when he made contact with Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly as the pack rounded the corner.
Vandoorne sustained front wing damage that necessitated a pit stop, leaving him mired at the rear of the field for the remainder of the race.
“It was a normal racing incident on lap one: into Turn 3, there were three or four cars side by side, and that corner closes up at the apex and the exit,” he said.
“There was no way to avoid contact, unfortunately.
“After pitting for a new nose, I came back out in traffic, getting blue flags straight away as the leaders went past me. It was very frustrating to have to let all the cars through.
“Towards the end, I got some clear laps and managed to overtake some cars again.
“There was some pace in the car – if you look at the lap-times, we were much more competitive than we were in qualifying. That’s a plus.”
It marked the fifth successive Grand Prix in which Vandoorne has failed to score a point.
The Belgian has now slipped to 16th position in the Drivers’ Championship.
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