F1 News: Carlos Sainz Puts Blame On Oscar Piastri Over Belgian GP Crash - "Optimistic"

Sainz tweeted about his crash at Spa, blaming Oscar Piastri for being "too optimistic".

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri's cars collided with each other during the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. The incident occurred on Turn 1 when Piastri was squeezed into the wall as he moved on the inside of Sainz who had locked up while trying to fight Lewis Hamilton for third position. 

The unfortunate series of events saw Piastri retire almost instantly while Sainz managed to drive until lap 23, hoping for a red-flag situation that would've helped his team repair the car but eventually, they gave rest to an already damaged Ferrari SF-23.  

The FIA stewards called it a racing incident and hence, none of the drivers were penalized. However, Sainz is of the opinion that a rookie Piastri crashed in the process of being too optimistic. He said:

"I was on the attack with Lewis [Hamilton], I went to pass him into Turn One, I think I had the move pretty much done and suddenly I received contact on my rear right by Oscar [Piastri].

"I honestly didn't expect him to go and choose to be three into Turn One with him so much on the inside.

"My opinion, I've been racing in Spa seven or eight years and everyone who has tried that move on the very inside has always generated an incident or a crash. If you look back at past starts here, that is normally the case.

"Maybe a bit of an experience mistake but it's how it goes. I didn't expect him there, no. I did at one point see him [in my mirrors] that he was on the wall pretty much, but I was more focused on my battle with Lewis.

"I didn't miss the apex or anything, I went to attack Lewis and Oscar went to attack Lewis and me, which I think in my opinion was a bit optimistic."

Sainz took over to Twitter as well to vent out his frustration. 

🇧🇪Not what we wanted today. Racing incident, but Oscar was too optimistic. He was never side by side and that move has never really worked in Spa. Congrats to the team and Charles on an encouraging result. We’ll keep pushing after the break!

👉https://t.co/wGypDLZBfM pic.twitter.com/LNAmaHhL4x

— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 30, 2023

Meanwhile, Piastri defended himself by saying that there was not much he could do, especially when Sainz locked up. He said:

"I had a good launch and got to Carlos' back wheel. He jinked quite hard to the right, locked up and I had to take a bit of avoidance from that and then by that point I was kind of still there, and with how I had to get out of the brakes it was quite hard to then back out of it fully. 

"I either had to stay where I was or try and commit more and get further alongside. It's always tight into Turn One like that, but just disappointing to end at the first corner.

"I've seen the video, it's difficult. Carlos didn't have much space on his outside but I also didn't really get given that many options. It's a tricky one. I'm sure we'll see if I could have done a few things differently. Just a shame to be out so early.

"It's I guess a Turn One, Lap One incident. It's a shame we're on the bad end of it. I don't think there were too many things I could have done differently.

"Once Carlos went to the right and locked up, it didn't leave me too many options going into the corner."