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Sainz: 'No hard feelings' with Ricciardo after Imola bust

Carlos Sainz held no grudge against Daniel Ricciardo after Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, despite the Aussie ending the Ferrari driver's race as soon as the second corner.

Sainz was on the receiving end of a blunder by the McLaren driver who drifted into the side of the Ferrari in the middle of Tamburello, punting the Spaniard into a spin and into the gravel trap where he remained.

The incident, which capped Sainz's already miserable weekend, was the second DNF in succession for the Ferrari charger who only got as far as the second lap two weeks ago in Australia.

"The first thing that he did was come to the Ferrari box to apologise to me," Sainz said. "The mechanics were all with me and we all thanked him for the gesture.

"That's why there's no hard feelings with Daniel. What happened with him could have happened to anyone out there today but unfortunately it had to happen to me.

"It's how it is. The incident has really no mystery to it. What happened is very clear to everyone."

©Ferrari

Ricciardo lost no time taking the blame for the run-in, saying his contact with the inside kerb at Tamburello coupled with the tricky conditions had caused him to slam into the Ferrari.

"I originally thought I'd got hit into Carlos, but I think it was originally me getting into him and then I got a bit more help after," he explained.

"From memory, so you know Turn 1 is going to bottle up, and I think I got onto the kerb, tried to give myself a little bit more space.

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"But I remember as soon as I got on it I just started sliding right off it, and I was just sliding up, up and then at some point Carlos has to turn left to then make the right and we just came in and obviously I collected his rear.

"As soon as I hit him, I saw him spinning, and I was just like ah, yeah, it's not fun. So obviously ruined my race but also his.

"I obviously have to be accountable for that, I don't think it was something where I was all locked up and ploughed into him, so obviously tricky conditions."

Needless to say, Sainz's early retirement and Charles Leclerc's spin while chasing Red Bull's Sergio Perez for a podium finish amounted to a disappointing home race for Ferrari.

"We wanted to give the fans something to cheer about, as they packed out the grandstands and the fields with a sea of red to support us here at Imola," said Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto.

"Naturally, we are disappointed not to have managed that, but there will be other races and opportunities to put a smile on their faces."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.