Abu Dhabi: The driver’s championship has been decided. The constructor’s championship has also been decided. But the scuffle in the Brazilian Grand Prix between Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and Force India’s Adrian Sutil seems to be still simmering despite the former being fined $10,000 (Dh36,700).
The two drivers, who were part of a four-man driver team addressing yesterday’s opening press conference of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, exchanged words in full view of the media corps and Trulli seemed to be still upset with the incident.
“Obviously it was very disappointing to end the race like that, especially on the first lap. I had every reason to be extremely furious. I’ve got all the evidence to show I was there and was next to him, and tomorrow we are going to discuss it,” said the Italian, who later got involved in heated arguments with Sutil on who was at fault over what the FIA ruled as a “racing incident,” after slapping the fine on Trulli.
Sutil, who was seated a few feet from Trulli, immediately retorted: “There’s nothing to discuss, it was quite an obvious incident. In the end it was very disappointing for me, even more because I was the one who was driving, and he lost control of his car and crashed into my back. It’s not my problem. It’s his problem. I don’t know why he’s freaking out like that to be honest.”
Picture perfect
Trulli responded by saying: “I don’t know if you’re blind, but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing.” He also held out some photographs to support his argument.
Sutil replied: “But you’re trying to overtake me around the outside on the kerb. There was not a problem. You were off the power. The same happened in Barcelona where you lost control again and crashed again into a Force India car.”
The exchange continued for some more time until a journalist asked Fernando Alonso to give his version since he reportedly had a better view of the incident and he ended it by saying, “I saw everything more or less, but as Jarno (Trulli) said we will discuss it in the drivers’ briefing — deeply!”
