Formula One news

Toro Rosso emailed apology to Renault

The Toro Rosso team sent an email of apology to Renault after the Monaco Grand Prix, it has been revealed. The Italian team sent the message after the race, in which Switzerland's Sébastien Buemi out-braked himself at Saint Devote, taking both his Toro Rosso and the Renault of Nelson Piquet out of the Grand Prix.

Buemi chases Piquet down in Monte-Carlo...

The coming together, which occurred on the eleventh lap of the race, did not go down well with Piquet Junior, who subsequently criticised the standards of 'young' drivers, having believed that a seventh place result was likely. "It was a really frustrating race for me," the Brazilian said. "I made a good start and had gained a place by the first corner, but a few laps into the race I got hit hard from behind by Sébastien Buemi which damaged the car and ended my race.

"It's such a shame as I was running a good strategy; I was heavy on fuel and probably could have scored some points. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do in these situations and so I need to put the disappointment behind me and concentrate on getting the most from the car again this weekend (in Turkey)."

Pat Symonds, executive director of engineering for Renault

After a character-building first season last year, critics were quick to jump again as brake failure removed Piquet from the opening race of the season in Australia. Six races into the new season and now 24-0 down to Fernando Alonso in terms of qualifying results since the start of their partnership, Renault's executive director of engineering remains a great believer in both of his drivers.

"Nelson continues to improve and strengthen as the season unfolds," commented Pat Symonds. "In Monaco he was very close to Fernando in qualifying and, considering the high standard that Fernando sets, I think he can be proud of the work he is doing. He was very unfortunate in the race and there was absolutely no blame attached to Nelson and - quite unusually - we received an email from Toro Rosso apologising for the incident!"

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