The usually dull pre-weekend press briefing was lightened by hilarity in Abu Dhabi, as Jarno Trulli went on a bizarre rampage against Adrian Sutil over their Brazilian GP accident, even producing photos to highlight his concerns.
Trulli spoke angrily about Sutil's part in their first lap clash at Interlagos after the Brazilian race, with the Italian convinced that Sutil had caused the accident by driving dangerously. Trulli was forced wide by the Force India on the opening tour, where he lost control of the car and careered back into Sutil.
Both Trulli and Sutil retired in the crash, along with the blameless Fernando Alonso, whose Renault was collected by Trulli.
And the Toyota driver remains vexed by the accident, saying in the press conference that: "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."
Sutil, who was also present at the briefing, retorted that he was not to blame, and that Trulli had simply lost control.
"There's nothing to discuss," Sutil shrugged, unaware of the paranoid events that were to unfold, "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."
At this point, Trulli hilariously produced photographs of the incident, showing them to Sutil and claiming that they clearly prove Sutil was in the wrong. And anyone who has ever argued over an accident on an internet message board knows that as soon as screenshots are produced, the argument is over.
"I don't know if you're blind, but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing," Trulli shot back, producing the photos.
Undeterred by the bizarre sight of Trulli's dossier of evidence, 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 [Sutil again]. You have to sometimes respect the limits of the car. If you've nowhere to go, you have to back off. That's how racing is. I don't know how long you need to learn this."
The argument went on for some time, Trulli insisting that: "In Barcelona I spun and he hit me because he cut the kerb, cut the circuit completely, and he didn't slow down," with Sutil countering: "I didn't hit you. You hit me. I don't know what is your problem. I really don't understand."
Trulli was then asked about the childish argument at the side of the track that took place between the two immediately after the accident. When asked what was said, Trulli explained that: "I was furious because he didn't see me. I was next to him and he kept on pushing me on the outside until I was obviously on the kerb."
Sutil retorted that: "It's not a problem to be on the kerb. Where's the problem?" To which Trulli sarcastically thundered back: "Yeah, no problem! As long as we know the rules."
While all this was happening, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, also at the briefing, were reported to be struggling to contain their mirth. When asked for his view of the incident that he got caught up in, Alonso cheerily replied that: "I saw everything more or less, but as Jarno said we will discuss it in the drivers' briefing - deeply!"
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
