Japanese GP 2024: Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon crash in first lap triggering early red flag

The start of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit was abrupted after an incident between Daniel Riccardo and Alex Albon triggered the red flag. Things happened just after the leaders left the first segment in the first lap.

It happened while both drivers were taking a sharp turn at Turn 2 and crashed to lose their cars. As the race started Riccardo’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda had a poor start which forced him to shuffle back. This was the real threat as Aldon looked back to check out the other driver’s position.

Here is the video: 

🚨: A replay of Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo’s crash which has caused a lap 1 RED FLAG 🚩 #japaneseGP

pic.twitter.com/WGf4vlkrSy

— Motorsport 24 (@Motorsport24NA) April 7, 2024

This lowered the gap between the two which eventually led them to collide. The collision forced Aldon’s car into the barriers which triggered the red flag on the Suzuka Circuit. Notably, the Bulls driver was quickly checked out by his teammate Tsunoda from which all these troubles had started.

Albon registers the fourth first-lap crash!

This year both Riccardo and Albon had a poor start. Earlier, in the Australian GP  Aldon crashed in free practice and lost his car. However, his team allowed him to race with his teammate Logan Sargeant’s car. Notably, this is Albon’s second first-lap crash in Suzuka Circuit as the first one came in 2022. William’s driver had overall four first-lap crashes making him one of the most fragile drivers.

On the other hand, Riccardo is travelling with just two chassis for the next two race weekends which doesn’t allow him to afford a single crash. He also finds himself on his third lap one crash in his seasoned career, a moment fraught with uncertainty as rumours swirl about his seat not being secure. Liam Lawson stands ready, eager for a potential opportunity to take the reins of the Bulls machine.