F1: Vettel takes blame for accident

Sebastian Vettel shoudered the blame for the crash that put him out of Formula 1's Mexican Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver suffered three incidents in the race at Mexico City, first picking up a puncture at the start in a clash with Daniel Ricciardo, then spinning in the esses and later crashing out at the same spot. When asked if something broke on the car to put him out, Vettel said: "No, it was my mistake.

"I had a look [at the crash] as well because I wanted to understand it. There was nothing wrong with the car, I went in with more or less the same speed and very suddenly lost the car – it was similar to the first time when I lost control.

"We know it has been tricky here all weekend but that's not blaming the conditions or the circuit. In the end it's my mistake and probably just asking or wanting a little bit too much.

"Once you lose the grip, we've seen this weekend that depending on where it happens, it can be quite costly."

STEWARDS CORRECT ON START CLASH

Vettel was upset with Ricciardo after their collision at Turn 1, but after watching the start again he agreed with the decision from the stewards to not take any action.

"Initially, I was pretty angry because I have a puncture and the race is lost," he said. "Looking at it now, it's the start of the race, and I think it was correct not to take any action on it.

"I don't think Daniel had anywhere to go. Equally, he was trying but there was no gap, really.

"It's a very difficult judgment to make. I saw him in the very last second and tried to open [a gap] but by then it was already too late. Plus, he was too quick for the line he was trying to do, so we touched.

"You can't do that on purpose so I'm not blaming him – but of course it was a shame for us."

Originally on Autosport.com