Source: Haas F1 Media

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Grosjean blames Sirotkin for Singapore penalty for ignoring blue flags

Grosjean blames Sirotkin for Singapore penalty for ignoring blue flags

17-09-2018 18:15
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Jake Williams-Smith

Romain Grosjean has described the driving of Williams' Sergey Sirotkin as "go-kart driving" as the two were embroiled in a battle for position which saw them hold up the leaders of the Singapore Grand Prix. Grosjean received a five-second time penalty for ignoring blue flags but blamed Sirotkin for the incident.

Speaking after the race, Grosjean blamed the Russian for the close call which saw leader Lewis Hamilton almost lose first place to Max Verstappen, who had closed up by five seconds by the time the Mercedes driver could get past the Haas driver.

Grosjean also held up Verstappen afterwards, blocking the Red Bull in his pursuit of the race leader which drew ire from both of the podium finishers after the race.

"I’m sorry if I blocked anyone, it was not my intention,” said Grosjean. “I believe I did my best. I was fighting with Sergey, who was doing a little bit of go-kart racing out there. I couldn’t really slow down. Pierre (Gasly) was on my gearbox and Sergey was on my front wing. I passed him, then as soon as I passed him, I let Lewis by.”

“If you have to start on these tyres, and the other ones are so much superior, if you qualify outside of the top 10 you have such an advantage. Then we got stuck behind the Williams, which didn’t move out of the way, one thing went to another, and that’s where we ended up.”

As well as his time penalty in the race, the Frenchman was handed three penalty points on his licence, bringing him up to nine and a further three points within the next four Grands prix would see Grosjean serve a one-race ban for 12 points on his licence within a twelve month period.

Sirotkin was also caught up in further incidents, hit by Sergio Perez earlier in the race in an instance of road rage by the Mexican and later unfairly blocking Brendon Hartley on worn tyres, the Russian was handed a five-second time penalty also.

The Singapore race and traffic for the leaders have once again brought up the issue of blue flags and the rules surrounding them, with Valtteri Bottas calling the situation "unacceptable" after being caught behind Nico Hulkenberg in the closing stages.