Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton slides off the observe after crashing out of the Qatari Method One Grand Prix at Lusail Worldwide Circuit on October 8, 2023. (Photograph by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Lewis Hamilton accepted accountability on Sunday for his opening nook collision with Mercedes teammate George Russell that noticed him crash out of the Qatar Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion misplaced his rear proper wheel when he hit the entrance wing of Russell’s automobile as he tried to move him on the surface.
Russell additionally spun however recovered and, after an instantaneous pit cease for repairs, rejoined the race and completed fourth.
“I really feel so sorry for my crew,” stated a crestfallen Hamilton. “The chance was there for us to attain a whole lot of good factors.
“It was all within the warmth of the second. I imply… I didn’t actually perceive what occurred. I simply felt the faucet from behind and I don’t assume George in all probability had wherever to go.
“It’s simply a kind of actually unlucky conditions. I’m pleased to take accountability for it.
“Everyone seems to be working so extremely exhausting and so it’s simply massively gutting to have a outcome like this. It’s very uncommon that this occurs for me, however I hope George is ready to get again into the factors immediately.”
Drama from the get-go in Lusail 😵#F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/1ZM9na9CIi
— Method 1 (@F1) October 8, 2023
He later posted on X (previously Twitter), confirming it was his fault.
“I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full accountability. Apologies to my crew and to George,” he stated.
Russell stated he was dissatisfied as a result of he felt {that a} podium end was a sensible goal for each Mercedes drivers earlier than the race.
Hamilton was the one main driver to begin the race on mushy tires, giving him a grip benefit within the early phases of the race, as he sought to move each Russell and pole-sitter Max Verstappen.
Verstappen, who clinched his third consecutive world title on Saturday, cruised to victory within the race.
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton stands subsequent to his broken automobile after crashing out of the Qatari Method One Grand Prix at Lusail Worldwide Circuit on October 8, 2023. (Photograph by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Russell stated: “I do know it was nothing intentional. When you’re racing in these automobiles, you possibly can’t see as a result of they’ve such massive blind spots and it is vitally troublesome. I’m positive we’ll talk about it and it will likely be all okay.”
Hamilton was fined 50,000 euros ($52,758), half of which is suspended, and given a reprimand by the race stewards for strolling throughout the observe after the crash.
“Throughout the listening to the driving force of automobile 44 was very apologetic and realized that the state of affairs may have been very harmful for him in addition to the drivers approaching,” the stewards stated in a press release.
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Hamilton has skilled solely six opening-lap retirements in his 327 races.
With 5 races remaining, he lies third within the drivers’ title race on 194 factors behind Verstappen on 433 and Crimson Bull’s second driver Sergio Perez, who completed tenth, on 225.