Hamilton accepts blame for Alonso incident: 'He was in my blind spot'
The seven-time champion collided with Alonso on lap one
Lewis Hamilton has accepted responsibility for the opening-lap collision with Fernando Alonso which ended his Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton had attempted to overtake his former team-mate around the outside going into the Les Combes chicane, only for the Briton's Mercedes to rear up after being hit on the right-rear wheel by the Spanish driver's Alpine.
Although Hamilton continued for half a lap, he was soon told to stop the car and retire.
Alonso was furious with the incident, admonishing Hamilton over team radio, saying: "What an idiot. Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start. This guy only knows how to drive and start in first."
Speaking to Sky Sports when he returned to the paddock, Hamilton said the incident had been his fault and apologised to his team.
He said: "Looking back at the footage, he was in my blind spot and I didn't leave him space, so it's my fault today. I'm sorry to the team."
When asked if he had heard what Alonso had said, he added: "It doesn't really matter what he said. As I said, it was my fault, I couldn't see him actually, he was right in my blind spot."
Speaking to the written media afterwards Hamilton expanded on the incident, saying: "I mean it's motor racing.
"I tried to overtake on the outside of turn five, but I didn't leave quite enough space. It wasn't intentional, it just happened."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Miami Grand Prix
FIA announce Red Bull F1 star to start Miami Grand Prix from pit lane
Miami Grand Prix
F1 Miami Grand Prix: How points work if rescheduled race does not go full distance
Miami Grand Prix
Red Bull issue Miami Grand Prix apology after F1 star disqualified
Miami Grand Prix
FIA announce disqualification verdict for Red Bull F1 star at Miami Grand Prix
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page