Bottas, Stroll get grid penalties for causing Hungary F1 first-lap carnage

Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll have each been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix after their part in causing a four-car collision on the opening lap at the start of the Formula 1 race at the Hungaroring.

Connor McDonagh

01 Aug 2021

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W12 leads at the start of the race as Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 W12 crashes into the back of Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL35M. — Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W12 leads at the start of the race as…
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In wet conditions, Bottas made a slow start from second on the grid as he was overtaken by both Red Bulls and Lando Norris before the braking zone of Turn 1.

Bottas locked up and ran into the back of Norris, spearing the McLaren driver into Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

Bottas, Perez and Norris all retired as a consequence, while Verstappen went on to finish the race in tenth after nursing damage throughout the race.

The stewards deemed Bottas to be at fault, handing him a grip penalty for the first race after the summer break and two penalty points on his licence.

“Immediately after the start, in the braking zone to turn 1, car 77 collided with the rear of car 4,”A statement from the FIA read. “The Stewards took into consideration the track conditions however the driver of car 77 was fully to blame for the collision.”

Explaining what happened on Lap 1, Bottas said: “Yes I had a poor start; wheelspin off the line, and lost places, and then braking into first corner I was right in the gearbox of Lando and I just locked the wheels so probably being that close didn’t calculate quite right the braking point, locked two wheels, hit him, and then it was a mess.”

The Finn confirmed that he hasn’t yet spoken to Norris but plans to do so at some point.

Bottas remains fourth in the drivers’ championship.