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Williams Formula 1 driver Nicholas Latifi has apologised for his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix crash amid a torrent of abuse on social media.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes appeared to be cruising to a record eighth Formula 1 title late in the United Arab Emirates race, having built a lead of 11 seconds over world championship challenger Max Verstappen.
But the race swung dramatically when Latifi crashed at turn 14 as Hamilton and Verstappen tackled the 53rd lap of the Yas Marina circuit grand prix.
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A safety car was employed, all five lapped drivers positioned between Hamilton and Verstappen were approved to overtake the safety car, Verstappen drew just about level with the Briton and the rivals had a final-lap shootout to decide the title.
Verstappen, on fresh soft tyres, had no trouble winning the race to the chequered flag because Hamilton was on hard tyres that he had pitted for on lap 14.
Latifi explained that he had been jostling with Haas driver Mick Schumacher throughout the lap on which he crashed, and that he had dirty tyres after being run off the road at turn nine.
But that hasn’t stopped a flood of abuse ranging from the unwarranted to the despicable.
“We were just really struggling for grip through the next sequence of corners, and especially where I ended up going off,” Latifi said.
“It’s been a tricky corner all weekend for me, so dirty tyres, dirty air and I made a mistake.
“I wasn’t aware of the situation of the race up until then.
“Obviously it was never my intention to inadvertently influence that, but I made a mistake and ruined my own race.”
Although Latifi is copping a huge amount of backlash, the vast majority of criticism is being fired at race director Michael Masi.
While the Australian official allowed the lapped drivers positioned between Hamilton and Verstappen to pass the safety car, he didn’t permit the other lapped drivers to do the same.
Masi wanted to clear the road for Verstappen to cut the deficit, setting up a thrilling, albeit contentious, final-lap showdown.
“It was never my intention and I can only apologise for influencing and creating an opportunity,” Latifi said of his crash.
“But again, I made a mistake.”
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