If there's one thing for sure in this latest Formula 1 race, it's that Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas didn't make any new friends. The Hungarian Grand Prix opened the first lap with a massive crash that knocked out a quarter of the field, including some of the biggest names on the grid.
Check out the Formula 1 fracas that shook up the race from the get go:
Valtteri Bottas takes out both Red Bull drivers on lap 1, officially securing his seat with Mercedes for 2022.https://t.co/mu1eLcpxBB
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 1, 2021
Charles Leclerc didn't take long to express is disdain for Valtteri Bottas and the crash that took him out of action with the F1 race barely beginning. The Ferrari driver sent out a pointed 5-word tweet that made the rounds on social media.
“Nice bowling game. So frustrating.”
Nice bowling game. So frustrating.
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) August 1, 2021
One of the other casualties in Lando Norris was interviewed about the crash. The McLaren driver was laying into his Mercedes rival on live television when Bottas surprised him from behind. This early retirement was excruciating for Lando considering his record streak of finishing in the points this Formula 1 season.
NOT LANDO SAYING IT WAS BOTTAS HIS FAULT RIGHT WHEN BOTTAS WAS BEHIND HIM 😭😭😭 HIS FACE SAYS IT ALL pic.twitter.com/iyyGLMAQle
— Renée ✨ (@racecarrenee) August 1, 2021
After the stoppage in action, the grid was basically tuned up on its head as Alpine's Estaban Ocon came out with the race lead. With six F1 drivers out early including big names like Bottas, Leclerc, and Norris on the sidelines, the door swung wide open for the rest of the field to get into the points and potentially a podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix.