- Williams' Nicholas Latifi has apologized after his crash had a major influence on the F1 title race.
- His crash inadvertently led to a safety car controversy which gave Max Verstappen the world title.
- Latifi said it was not his intention to play such a major role in the outcome of the championship.
The driver who inadvertently helped give Max Verstappen his first Formula One world title has apologized and said it was never his intention to create a dramatic final twist to an already wild F1 season.
Williams' Nicholas Latifi crashed after battling Mick Schumacher in the 52nd lap of the 58-lap race, sliding off the track and into the barriers, wrecking his car in the process.
Latifi's heavy shunt meant a safety car was deployed as marshalls cleaned the track.
What followed was a controversial call from race director Michael Masi which set-up a last-lap shootout between the two title contenders, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
The Dutchman went on to win thanks to his fresher tires, in an outcome that delighted Red Bull and enraged Mercedes.
Latifi said it was never his intention to cause such drama, and that he was actually unaware of what was happening at the front of the race when the crash happened.
"It was never my intention and I can only apologize for influencing and creating an opportunity," Latifi said, as reported by ESPN.
"I made a mistake."
"We were just really struggling for grip through the next sequence of corners, and especially where I ended up going off.
"It's been a tricky corner all weekend for me, so dirty tyres, dirty air and I made a mistake.
"I wasn't aware of the situation of the race up until then. Obviously it was never my intention to inadvertently influence that, but I made a mistake and ruined my own race."
After the race, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner joked that Latifi would recieve a lifetime supply of the energy drink for his hand in Verstappen's title.
Latifi will remain with the Williams team for the 2022 F1 season, being joined by Verstappen's former Red Bull teammate Alex Albon, who replaces the outgoing George Russell, who in turn is moving to partner Hamilton at Mercedes.