WATCH: Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon collide with the barriers on Turn 2 of the Japanese GP

Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon caused an early red flag following a big crash on Lap 1 of the Japanese GP.

WATCH: Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon collide with the barriers on Turn 2 of the Japanese GP

Daniel Ricciardo (L), Alex Albon (R), Daniel Ricciardo's VCARB01 in the barriers at the Japanese GP (via @wtf1official/X).

The Japanese GP is underway. As the five rights went out, drivers aimed to maximise on the first lap of the race. VisaCashAppRB and Williams were two teams desperate to score some points this weekend. However, Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo had an early end to the race in Suzuka.

Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon had a disappointing start to the Japanese GP as both the drivers collided with one another at Turn 2 and went into the barriers. The race was immediately red-flagged following the massive incident. Albon was driving Logan Sargeant‘s FW46 due to damage to his original chassis in Australia. The Thai-British driver might’ve caused damage to this chassis as well.

YouTube video

The crash was deemed to be a racing incident. Unluckily, both the drivers took a massive hit as they lost out on a good opportunity to score points. Additionally, Daniel Ricciardo will be once again be outshined by his Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda. However, the ‘frustrating’ season continues for the Australian driver as he faces yet another race with no points to his name.

FS Video

F1 drivers check in on Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon moments after high-speed crash

The majority of the drivers were concerned about the safety of Ricciardo and Albon following the crash. Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were quick to question the safety of both drivers. Leclerc asked if both the drivers were alright. 

Everybody okay?
Charles Leclerc questioned his race engineer (via @FanaticsFerrari/X).
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc ( Image via IMAGO)

Apart from this, Max Verstappen questioned his race engineer about the same as well. Ricciardo’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda was quick to question about the 34-year-old immediately. Hence, it is heartwarming to see the human nature of the drivers despite having a killer mindset while racing on the track. Anyhow, both the drivers were luckily unhurt from the incident and walked out safely from their challengers.

The barriers are currently under repair and will take some time to be fixed before fit to continue. The race didn’t even have a sector completed by all the drivers, hence there will be a slightly different starting grid. The Japanese GP resumed with a standing start after the repair work was completed by the marshals.

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