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Wehrlein pins blame for collision on Button

Published on 28 May 2017 17:36
10
By: Fergal Walsh

Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein has revealed that his hefty collision with Jenson Button's McLaren in Monaco will lead to further scans on his back, which had been injured previously at the Race of Champions in January, and that he blames the Briton for the accident.

Wehrlein had led Button around the streets of Monte Carlo for 59 laps when the 2009 World Champion attempted a move down the inside of the Sauber at Portier. There was very little space, and although Button attempted to back out the two cars touched, sending Wehrlein's vehicle onto its side against the harbourside wall. The young German was freed from his cockpit seemingly unhurt, despite initially being trapped by the barrier, as Button retired with broken suspension.

Wehrlein was cleared by medical staff once out of the car, but has since said that more scans will be needed to monitor his condition further: "I hope I am OK. I touched again the head on the barrier, so I will have to do another scan next week for my back. Yeah, let's see.

"It was just scary. The brakes started to smoke and I couldn't get out of the car obviously. The only thing I wanted to do is get out of the car when you see the car starts to smoke. I couldn't jump out myself. It seems to be OK but obviously with the injury I had, I'm not too sure. Button was nowhere. Clearly this corner is no place to overtake. It was a silly move."

Mason Hawker

F1 News Jenson Button Pascal Wehrlein McLaren Sauber

Replies (10)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I think it was an optimistic move.. hope Wehrlein is okay
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- May 28 2017 - 17:58
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I wont exactly blame Button for trying, Wehrlein went wide, he took the chance, and in his defense Werhlein turned in on him, but it was a very clumsy move.
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- May 28 2017 - 18:26
Squirrel10

Posts: 36
I want to be wrong about this, but is this another spurious excuse not to drive the Sauber?
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- May 28 2017 - 20:20
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  I think you're very wrong lol
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  May 28 2017 - 22:37
- Squirrel10
  
  Posts: 36
  Wouldn't the airbox have hit the wall, and therefore (if he was strapped in properly) stopped his head touching the wall?
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  May 30 2017 - 20:11
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Button should be awarded best drive of the race as he was the first of only two overtaking moves in the entire race, both of which came to grief.
Glamorous but dour race. F1 fan of 40 years but not a good spectacle at present. No point having faster cars this season if minimal overtaking except artificial pit stops. Without them most races would see almost no appreciable place changes. Too much aero, major overhaul needed. Speed is great but pointless less without competitive wheel to wheel racing. Trying to maintain interest but too many processional races already this season.
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- May 28 2017 - 22:40
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  You cant compare this year to the better years, like last year (in terms of overtakes). This is the maiden year of a new era, there is bound to be less overtakes.
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  May 28 2017 - 22:49
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Monaco has had great years, including last year. This year was the worst race I've watched in a long time. I even turned it off, which I haven't done since the Schumacher dominance years. Indy was great though... I will still make fun of oval racing, but Indy has my respect.
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  May 29 2017 - 17:32
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Good job Ferrari 'stepped up to plate' to make for a more challenging season - even if it has to be (mostly) through pit stop strategies. Surprised Verstappen didn't chance it somewhere.
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- May 28 2017 - 23:00
renaultFanF1

Posts: 80
Pascal is right. Honestly, it was nice to see Button back in the car, but that was a stupid move.
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- May 29 2017 - 09:54