Daniel Ricciardo issued a heartfelt apology to his former teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, after a dramatic clash during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The incident occurred on lap 28 of the race when Ricciardo, driving for AlphaTauri, collided with Tsunoda’s car while attempting an ambitious overtake at the Variante della Roggia chicane.
The contact forced Tsunoda off the track and into the gravel, effectively ending his chances of a points finish. The collision drew the attention of race stewards, who deemed it a racing incident with no further action required. However, Ricciardo took full responsibility, expressing regret over team radio immediately after the incident and later in interviews.
“I’m really sorry for him,” Ricciardo said. “It was a mistake on my part. I went for a move that, looking back, was too optimistic, especially given the circumstances. I know how much a result here would have meant for him and the team, and I’m genuinely sorry to have caused that.”
Tsunoda, visibly disappointed, accepted Ricciardo’s apology but emphasized the missed opportunity for valuable points at Monza. “It’s racing, and these things happen, but it’s frustrating,” Tsunoda commented. “I appreciate Daniel’s words, and we move on, but it’s a tough one to swallow.”
The clash highlighted the challenges faced by Ricciardo, who returned to the grid mid-season to drive for AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck de Vries. While he has shown glimpses of his trademark skill, the incident at Monza underscored the difficulties of adapting to a new car and team dynamics.
As the season progresses, both Ricciardo and Tsunoda will aim to put the incident behind them, focusing on maximizing their performances for the remaining races. The apology reflects the mutual respect between the drivers despite the intense competition on the track.