P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Daniel Ricciardo has escaped sanction for the opening-lap collision that took him and Alex Albon out of F1’s Japanese GP – but the stewards have indicated this would not have been the case if not for a pair of mitigating circumstances
Daniel Ricciardo has avoided punishment for the collision with Alex Albon during the Japanese Grand Prix due to mitigating circumstances acknowledged by FIA stewards. The incident occurred on the opening lap at Suzuka’s Esses, causing both drivers to crash into the barriers and the race to be suspended for barrier repairs. Ricciardo and Albon were unharmed, but a post-race hearing was scheduled to discuss the collision. Stewards noted that both drivers had a similar view of the incident and highlighted the influence of Lance Stroll’s presence near the corner on Ricciardo’s actions. Ultimately, the stewards deemed it a first-lap incident with no further action necessary, citing the unique combination of factors that played a significant role in their decision-making process.