Narain Karthikeyan apologises to Jenson Button for Malaysian GP incident – Formula 1 news
Narain Karthikeyan has apologised to McLaren driver Jenson Button for his role in the collision of the driver during the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Karthikeyan had a dreadful first race for the 2012 season in Malaysia as he collided with not only Button but also Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel.
HRT’s driver was in his first race of the season as in the qualifiers of the opening race in Australia the team failed to come within the 107% rule of the leader’s time. HRT put in a request with the FIA to allow them to participate in the race but it was
not upheld.
Karthikeyan told Autosport about the incidents he had, and said that the team had not experienced the kind of weather conditions during the race. Therefore, the safety car was off and the team knew the car was going to be slower than normal and in trying
to make up for the lack of pace the focus was a bit off and on a turn Jenson Button hit the car as he was trying to pass.
“I am sorry for Jenson. I didn't think he would pass there, because you really don't want to get in their way, and if I had seen him coming I would have moved over. But I didn't in the chaos, and I kept continuing,” he said.
“Then there was the incident with Vettel. I was letting everyone through on blue flags because I was being told on the radio. I got on the white line, which was still damp, and I was on slicks obviously so I had a lot of wheel spin. I then had to come back
on the track from the kerb, and he was there unfortunately and I could not do anything,” the Indian driver added.
Karthikeyan was also fined for the collision between him and Vettel, although he did not apologise to Vettel for the incident.
It will be interesting to see how HRT progresses during the season, as the team fails to show any performances of substance. It will take the team to come up with something new challenge the midfield teams.
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