06.04.2013.- Mexican driver Esteban Gutiérrez was forced to abandon the race in the Bahrain Grand Prix after being involved in an accident.

During lap 40, Esteban was touched by the Venezuelan driver from Lotus team Pastor Maldonado, which forced him to leave the race.

“It took me by surprise. When Pastor (Maldonado) was leaving the pits I passed him and when I took the corner he hit me by surprise, it just happened and this is the first time I`ve rolled. When I landed I was like 'What just happened?'

I saw him and passed him, but when I got to the corner he came from the inside and I didn't see him while I was turning, I event left him space as a precaution but I think it was a risky move from him”, explained Esteban.

Esteban was taken to the medical area first and then to a local hospital for review and the tests ran in both places showed that the driver is in good condition.

“Everything is fine, the routine examinations are a precaution but everything resulted fine, I'm ok.

“We know that nobody does this on purpose, it happens to everyone, but it is important to learn from it and to accept it to see what was the risk involved and make sure it does not happen again”, he remarked.

Esteban's team mate, Adrian Sutil, also had to leave the race after an accident in lap 18 with Jules Bianchi.

Mercedes took the first to steps of the podium, with Mexican driver Sergio Pérez completing the first three.