Bruno Senna admitted that it was his lack of experience starting a race on full fuel that contributed to him causing a first-corner melee in the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Brazilian driver, who stole headlines after qualifying at Spa on Saturday when he placed his Renault seventh on the grid, hit Jaime Alguersuari's Toro Rosso under braking for La Source and caused several drivers behind to take avoiding action. Senna was then forced to return to the pits for a new front wing before returning to the race to finish 13th, the last man on the lead lap.
"I didn't do the first corner with high fuel, ever, and unfortunately I misjudged the braking area," Senna said. "There was no way for me to avoid Jaime [Alguersuari] and I am really sorry about his race. Fortunately for me there was no damage to the suspension and I could continue racing. I got a lot of laps under the belt, though and, fortunately, I have got another race in Monza to look forward to.
"I think it was just misjudgment and a lack of experience of not doing it for 11 races. I should have maybe been a bit more careful but it's racing. I'm here to race and race for position so let's see what happens in the next race."
Senna drew positives from his debut race with the Renault team however and said he expected more from himself at the next grand prix in Italy.
"I think the pace was actually pretty good and I have some great experience with both types of tire, so now I know what to do with the team," he said. "I am looking forward to driving in Monza and hopefully in better conditions than this."