Lance Stroll issues apology after triggering costly Esteban Ocon collision

Lance Stroll has issued an apology to Esteban Ocon for causing the duo's crash in the closing stages of the United States Grand Prix Sprint. 

With only a few laps remaining, Stroll attempted a very late move on Ocon at Turn 1 for 11th spot. Unfortunately, the Aston Martin driver locked up and speared into a helpless Ocon. 

The accident spun Ocon and resulted in major damage to the rear of his Haas, while Stroll suffered significant front damage to his AMR25. 

Following the accident, Stroll has received two penalty points and a five-place grid penalty for the grand prix on Sunday.

Onboard footage showed the Canadian immediately put his hand up to Ocon as a sign of apology, before apologising to the Frenchman once again in the media pen.

Asked if he regretted the overtaking attempt, Stroll told Sky F1: "Yeah, for sure, I was just too far behind. So it was a mistake, I misjudged it. Yeah, I apologised to him now."

For both drivers, it leaves a race against the clock for their cars to be repaired, a larger challenge for Haas who have introduced a large upgrades package at the Circuit of the Americas. 

Thankfully for Ocon, the 29-year-old is confident the American squad has enough spare parts to complete the repairs following the crash which was as a result of being caught in the midfield chaos.

"We should be okay for for parts," Ocon said to Sky F1. "That's a good thing. Obviously, we are taking a lot of risk in that mid-pack, to try and get something the of this race. 

"So, it was racing, it's wrong place, wrong time, really. But I don't think I would have been able to get points. I was fighting with Pierre [Gasly], obviously, to try and get into the top 10. 

"I was going to get him, I think, on that next lap. We need to try and qualify better, and hopefully have smooth sessions, because at the moment, we don't seem to catch a break, and we always have something going on. So yeah, it has to go smooth."