Hulkenberg admits error in first-lap horror crash

Nico Hulkenberg admitted he did not suffer a brake failure, with his own error the root cause of a scary crash at the first turn of the Belgian Grand Prix. Hulkenberg rear-ended Fernando Alonso after locking up, sending the McLaren through the air and thumping onto the cockpit of Charles Leclerc's Sauber.

The incident evoked memories of a similar crash at the start of the 2012 race at Spa-Francorchamps, with Alonso quick to point out that the guilty party on that occasion - Romain Grosjean - was given a one-race ban over the crash.

Hulkenberg, Leclerc and Alonso were summoned to the stewards after the race, but the Renault man admitted that he had not suffered a mechanical issue which prevented him from stopping in time.

VIDEO: Halo to the rescue in CRAZY Spa crash
READ MORE: Alonso hints Hulkenberg deserves ban

He told Sky Sports: "No problem, it's just incredible to find out again on lap one how sensitive these cars are with aerodynamics, when you have a few cars that bunch up in front of you how much grip and load you lose.

"When I hit the brakes, I instantly locked up the front wheels and just [slid] into Fernando... probably misjudgement from my side, a bit too late on the brakes, a bit too keen.

"It's frustrating obviously for him, for Charles as well, but also for myself."

Incredible pictures showed numerous cracks and scrapes on Leclerc's halo, and the Sauber man was relieved after becoming the first driver in F1 to escape serious injury thanks to the safety device.

"The halo probably helped today but it's very unfortunate," Leclerc said, before quickly turning his thoughts to racing. "I think the potential of the race today was big and it's a shame to finish the race that way in the first corner.

"I don't know if it's a problem or if it's a mistake by him [Hulkenberg], and anyway I'm not the one to take the decisions, but for sure it was a little bit too much."