Rebuild mode: Lehto’s team at work today

Mette Bjerknæs has publicly accepted responsibility for the collision that ended Tino Lehto’s race at Peso da Régua.

The incident occurred on lap ten when Brandt Bjerknæs, the Norwegian-born driver racing under a British licence, made contact with Lehto’s boat entering a turn. The collision tore Lehto’s steering cables and punctured his sponson, forcing him to retire from what had been shaping up as his strongest performance of the season.

In a candid Instagram post, Bjerknæs took full ownership of the accident:

I accept the responsibility for this collision.

I left the door open coming into the turn and didn’t see Tino in my blind spot until it was too late. Sometimes things look completely different from inside the cockpit as you’re so focused.

The apology continued with a racing lesson learned the hard way:

I have learned from previous experience that going inside someone in a turn is very risky, especially when there’s a short distance to the next turn. Tino, I’m sorry.

For Lehto, the crash represented another crushing setback in what has become a season of near-misses and mechanical failures.

Speaking after the incident, the Finn’s frustration was palpable.

The race had a pretty good pace, but I only managed to complete ten laps when I had to stop the race.

Yes, there have been enough challenges and worries.

I haven’t been able to get the best out of it and I haven’t been able to drive a clean race yet.

He explained about the incident:

I didn’t get a straight line again, and it feels like there’s some kind of curse.

I still haven’t seen the chequered flag.

I was about to pass the boat and managed to pass it when another competitor came from the outside and drove straight into the side of the boat.

Despite the disappointment, Lehto harboured no ill will towards Bjerknæs:

My sponson filled with water and the game was over.

Mette didn’t see me, and there was nothing she could do.

I didn’t look back when she came around the blind corner.

The damage was significant, however Lehto’s team have been repairing the boat in Vila Velha de Ródão today as our pictures show and the boat back will be in racing condition for Sunday’s championship finale.

Lehto said with characteristic determination:

Now we’re putting the boat together for the last race of the season.

Just get more feel for the boat and I’ll believe it’ll be better.

Hopefully one race will be successful this season, so we can get some information for next season.