Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire from the Belgian Grand Prix following a first-lap collision with Fernando Alonso; The Alpine driver branded Hamilton “an idiot” who “only knows how to drive and start in first” in an angry radio message
Last Updated: 28/08/22 5:06pm
Lewis Hamilton took responsibility for the first-lap clash with Fernando Alonso which resulted in the seven-time world champion’s first-lap retirement from the Belgian Grand Prix.
The pair came together at Les Combes as Hamilton tried to go around the outside of Alonso’s Alpine, briefly launching himself into the air and eventually being forced to retire due to the damage caused.
Alonso gave his former McLaren team-mate a verbal blast over his team radio following the collision, branding the 37-year-old “an idiot”, who “only knows how to drive and start in first”.
But while Hamilton brushed off those jibes, he held his hands up for being at fault.
“Looking back at the footage, he was in my blind spot, and I didn’t leave him enough space, so it was my fault today,” Hamilton said. “I’m just so sorry to the team.
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Lewis Hamilton was disappointed after he collided with Fernando Alonso, putting him out of the race on the first lap at the Belgian GP.
“It doesn’t really matter what he said, I don’t really care. Like I said, it was my fault; I couldn’t see him, actually – he was right in my blind spot.
“I’ll just recuperate and get back on the treadmill.”
Alonso: I was frustrated in the moment
Alonso had started third on the grid at Spa after penalties bumped championship contenders Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc and team-mate Esteban Ocon to the back of the field, with Hamilton just behind him in fourth.
Despite the first-lap drama, the 2005 and 2006 world champion was able to bring his Alpine home in fifth to equal his best finish of the 2022 season so far.
Alonso put his comments about Hamilton’s driving ability down to frustration and was happy to let the incident go post-race.
“I was surprised, and he’s now seen the incident and takes responsibility, which is very nice from him,” Alonso said.
“It was a lap-one incident and nothing really to say there. The stewards didn’t say anything because these things happen, especially at that corner.
“It’s a tricky corner – I was frustrated in that moment, for sure. Every time we start on the first or second row or are fighting in the top two or three there is always something going on and I was frustrated.
“Luckily, my car was very strong, and I could continue.”