Lance Stroll ‘surprised’ Leclerc escaped penalty for first-lap F1 Sochi tangle

Lance Stroll says it was 'ridiculous' Charles Leclerc escaped a penalty for their first-lap tangle at the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix which led to the Canadian's retirement. 

Leclerc tapped Stroll’s right rear tyre into Turn 4, forcing the Racing Point driver into a spin and ultimately ending his race early in the barrier.

The Ferrari driver escaped a penalty and went onto finish in sixth place.

When asked about the incident, Stroll placed total blame on Leclerc.

"Very sloppy from his part and I gave him all the room," Stroll said. "I’m quite surprised that he didn’t get a penalty. I gave him plenty of room. I did the whole corner on the outside and he just tagged my right rear.

"I gave him all the room I could and it was unlucky but he could have avoided it. He didn’t have to run so wide into me, so I think it’s kind of ridiculous that he didn’t get a penalty."

Stroll had made a fast start from 12th on the grid up to seventh and was in a good position to capitalise on his medium tyre start.

The Canadian rued the missed opportunity in Sochi.

"A lot was possible," Stroll added. "We were seventh at that point, I had a great start, we were on a good tyre so it’s a real shame."

Stroll's non-finish in Sochi means he has slipped behind Leclerc in the drivers' championship, albeit on countback with the pair on 57 points.

Racing Point sits fourth in the constructors' championship, two points behind third-placed McLaren and five points ahead of Renault in fifth.