F1 star apologises after controversial moment at Chinese GP

An F1 star has apologised after an ‘over the limit’ move during the Chinese GP sprint race.

The first sprint race of the season promised to be exciting when Lewis Hamilton overtook pole-sitter Lando Norris into Turn 1, forcing his fellow Brit to run wide.

READ MORE: F1 Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying Results: Hamilton embarrassed as Verstappen dominates

However, a resurgent Max Verstappen displayed his usual pace in the Red Bull and had charged into the lead by the end of lap 9.

Whilst Verstappen eventually won with a 13 second gap, the race was not without incident further down the field.

READ MORE: Hamilton reveals F1 retirement plans

Sainz apologises for collision

Attempting an overtake for third into Turn 7, Sainz made contact with Fernando Alonso resulting in a puncture for the Aston Martin driver and an eventual DNF.

However, this would not be the last incident involving Sainz.

Trying to defend against his team-mate Charles Leclerc, he ended up running the Monegasque driver wide.

Leclerc protested on team radio after the race that his team-mate was 'racing him harder than the others'.

“Behind Fernando I did a really good move around the outside of Turn 7 and from then on he decided to be a bit all or nothing into me into Turn 9 which cost us both in the race,” Sainz said to Sky Sports F1 after the race.

“I picked up damage and a lot of dirt on my tyres from that optimistic move. From there on I was sliding around with damage to the car and dirt on my tyres.

“I was doing everything I could to defend and sliding around so maybe had a bit of a moment with Charles but I apologise if I did something over the limit. But we were all racing really hard today and I was trying by best to keep it under control.”

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