Formula One: Zhou Guanyu blasts Nicholas Latifi for ‘dangerous’ move after crashing out of Singapore Grand Prix
- Williams driver Latifi picks up a 5-place grid penalty for Japan, and 2 penalty points on his licence, for causing the collision
- ‘There is no excuse if you see me or not, you just need more awareness,’ the Chinese rookie says
Zhou Guanyu has hit out at Nicholas Latifi for a “dangerous” move that forced him to crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Williams driver Latifi picked up a 5-place grid penalty for next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, and 2 penalty points on his licence, for causing the collision on lap 7 of the wet-to-dry race. It took his total to 3 points over the past 12 months.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit had been lashed with rain in a huge evening downpour, causing a long delay to the start of a chaotic race, which was eventually won by Sergio Perez – keeping his Red Bull teammate max Verstappen’s title celebrations on hold.
Zhou tried to pass the Canadian in his Alfa Romeo on the outside of turn 5, but Latifi appeared to squeeze the Chinese rookie into the wall, damaging his front right corner and forcing him out. Latifi also hit the wall and eventually retired under the safety car after attempting to carry on with a new front wing.
The 23-year-old Zhou was angry on the team radio after the incident, and blasted Latifi when he spoke to media back in the paddock.
“I mean, there’s not much I can do,” he said. “I was outside him and then the guy just decided to fully close the door and put me into the wall. The frontline suspension was broken after that. A bit unfortunate because I feel like the pace was there.