Formula 3 driver Nikola Tsolov denied intentionally crashing into Alex Dunne after a shocking flashpoint at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.
Alpine junior Tsolov was driving just behind Irish rookie Dunne – who was weaving slightly – during F3 practice.
Yet Bulgarian driver Tsolov, at turn 10, then drastically swerved right and into the side of Dunne’s car, pushing him into the wall and forcing a red flag.
The incident left pundits and fans aghast on social media, with the lead commentator on the F3 coverage quipping: “I don’t know what on earth he was thinking.”
Tsolov has since been given a three-place grid penalty by the stewards but denied it was intentional, instead insisting it was simply a “misunderstanding.”
“I was a bit confused,” Tsolov told Feeder Series afterwards.
“I arrived on a push lap and I think the MP [Dunne’s car] was weaving, so I didn’t know where to go to get past him because he was on a cool lap or something.
“I went to the left side and then I just felt a hit under my rear tyre. So I think it was just a bit of a misunderstanding, but nothing intentional from any side. I think it was just a bit unfortunate.
The incident that brought Practice to a premature end
— Formula 3 (@Formula3) March 22, 2024
Nikola Tsolov has received a three-place grid drop, with the Stewards determining that his actions, while unintended, caused a collision that was completely avoidable. #AusGP #F3 pic.twitter.com/z0AK7x6QMu
“I knew he was there, but then I suddenly just felt the hit. I didn’t do anything strange. I was just on the racing line. I have no intention against him. There’s nothing to win in a practice session, so I wouldn’t do something like that.”
Some users on Twitter/X insisted Tsolov should have received a race ban.
However, the stewards seemed to accept the 17-year-old’s reasoning, insisting the manoeuvre was simply misjudged and not intentional.
As well as the grid demotion, Tsolov has also had two penalty points added to his superlicence.
