Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher were battling it out for ninth place in the closing stages of the Miami Grand Prix, with the Haas driver closing in on his first Formula 1 points, and the Aston Martin driver on course for his second consecutive top 10 finish.
But on lap 53, the two Germans collided at the first corner when the son of the seven-time world champion tried to overtake Vettel, without his compatriot expecting him to go on the inside.
The crash came after Schumacher went wide in the final corners of the previous lap fending off Esteban Ocon , allowing the Aston Martin to pass.
Vettel retired on the spur of the moment, while the other man in the action had to pit for a nose change, and watched his chance of F1 points evaporate in the sweltering Miami heat, coming in 15th. position.
Afterwards, the seven-time champion, who is close to the Schumacher family and acts as something of a mentor to the young Mick, said the incident was “stupid for both of us” as both drivers missed out on a good result.
“Of course, stupid for both of us. That’s what’s left,” Vettel told Sky . “I’m sorry we’re both out (of the points). I thought I had the curve and was ahead, I didn’t expect it, and then when I saw it, it was too late. I’ll have to look at it again, but it’s bitter for both of us, Of course,” he commented.
Vettel’s top 10 would have been just reward for a comeback race in which, like teammate Lance Stroll , they started from the pitlane due to a fuel temperature issue.
Still, Vettel believes he “could have done better” at some key moments in the race as he found it more difficult than expected to overtake.
“It was very, very difficult to overtake. I thought it would be easier,” he said. “I was much quicker at the start and then lost a bit of momentum, we benefited from the safety car, and I think we could have finished at least eighth today.”
Over the team radio, Schumacher said he thought the corner was his, but after the race he calmed down a bit once his adrenaline wore off: “I don’t really know. Obviously, it’s very difficult to see the things by the rear view mirrors of these cars. It was a very unfortunate way to end the race today.”
Asked if his move was perhaps a bit optimistic, he said: “I don’t know. I tried not to go too far, I tried to leave a little bit of space, but it was clearly too far gone.”
The FIA stewards decided not to take further action after reviewing the incident because they felt that although both drivers played a role in the incident, neither was the main culprit.
