Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel says he crashed because of Kimi Raikkonen’s wheel

Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel says he crashed during the demonstration in Milan, Italy because of Kimi Raikkonen’s wheel.

The buildup to this weekend’s Formula 1 race, the Italian Grand Prix, has not quite gone as planned for four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel.

The Scuderia Ferrari driver dominated the 44-lap Belgian Grand Prix around the 19-turn, 4.352-mile (7.004-kilometer) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this past Sunday to cut his deficit to fellow four-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport in the driver standings from 24 points (213 to 189) to 17 points (231 to 214).

Hamilton finished the race in second place after being passed for the lead by Vettel on the opening lap and never being able to overtake the 31-year-old German for the lead after that.

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But just days ahead of Ferrari’s home race around the 12-turn, 3.600-mile (5.793-kilometer) Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy during a pre-race demonstration on the streets the Darensa dockland area in Milan, Italy, Vettel experienced a shunt that he may not be able to live down for quite a while whether he likes it or not.

Along with teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel drove his SF71H within the confines of a barrier resembling that of a makeshift go-kart track. Alfa Romeo Sauber teammates Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson as well as Scuderia Toro Rosso teammates Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley also joined them in driving front of the thousands of fans who lined the streets to watch the demonstration take place.

However, Vettel ended up entering a turn at a speed that was far too great in terms of being able to slow down to avoid hitting the barrier. As a result, he hit the barrier and damaged the front win of his SF71H.

Here is a video of Vettel’s crash, which caused the crowd to roar in disbelief.

But how could a four-time Formula 1 champion possibly crash his car at such a low speed in a non-competitive demonstration? Vettel believes the fact that he was using Raikkonen’s wheel is the reason.

Here is what Vettel had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.com.

"“I apologised. I went with the car and the steering wheel of Kimi, who had the clutch on the other side. I didn’t think about it, and at that point I was too fast. I asked if it would be possible to change the wing to do two more laps for the fans. Obviously it was my mistake, but that’s OK.”“It’s a special weekend for us and the team and I feel it as well. We hope to give Monza great emotions and with this Ferrari I know that we can do a great race. For us this race is a championship. I know it has created enthusiasm for the fans and I hope to be able to dream with them.”"

The Italian Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 from Autodromo Nazionale Monza this Sunday, September 2 at 9:10 a.m. ET. Will Sebastian Vettel be able to put this mistake at the back of his mind so he can continue to close in on Lewis Hamilton for the lead of the Formula 1 driver standings?