Williams driver Nicholas Latifi has apologised and stated it was not his intention to play such a significant position in deciding the end result of the F1 championship on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Latifi’s crash on lap 52 of 58 was the spark for the security automobile which modified the entire race, controversially organising Max Verstappen’s final lap cross on rival Lewis Hamilton for the win and championship.

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Verstappen’s boss Christian Horner joked to Sky Sports activities after the race he would ensure that he acquired the Canadian driver a lifetime provide of Pink Bull.

Latifi stated he had no concept how finely poised the title battle was out in entrance and put the crash all the way down to driver error.

“It was by no means my intention and I can solely apologise for influencing and creating a possibility,” Latifi stated. “I made a mistake.”

He added: “We have been simply actually struggling for grip by means of the subsequent sequence of corners, and particularly the place I ended up going off.

“It has been a difficult nook all weekend for me, so soiled tyres, soiled air and I made a mistake.

“I wasn’t conscious of the scenario of the race up till then. Clearly it was by no means my intention to inadvertently affect that, however I made a mistake and ruined my very own race.”

The controversy from the scenario got here from the choices made after the security automobile had been deployed. The FIA initially stated lapped vehicles couldn’t unlap themselves by passing the security automobile, solely to reverse that call shortly afterwards.

Mercedes have been offended and appealed the outcome after the race, however its protest was dismissed.