Liam Lawson issues twin apologies after costly Las Vegas GP crash

Liam Lawson has offered apologies to both his Racing Bulls team and Oscar Piastri for hitting the Australian at Turn 1 of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

From sixth on the grid, Lawson stuck to the inside line of Turn 1, but had to swerve to the right to avoid George Russell in front, who, in turn, was trying to avoid Carlos Sainz.

In jinking to the right, Lawson barged into Piastri's McLaren, causing major damage to his Racing Bulls machine, with the wounded car carrying on but finishing a lapped 14th. 

Reflecting afterwards, Lawson took responsibility for the collision.

"It was very slippery and I was heading towards the back of whoever was in front of me," Lawson told media, including RacingNews365.

"So basically, I just had to try to avoid it, so big apologies to the team and to Oscar as well, I didn't mean to run into him.

"It is a shame to have two cars start in the points and not finish in the points.

"I haven't seen the incident, I just know that I made contact, and so apologies to Oscar and to our guys as I wasn't trying to overtake or anything like that.

"Obviously, in hindsight, I would just brake a bit earlier and try to get through Turn 1."