Lewis Hamilton: George Russell collision ‘100 per cent my fault’ as he apologises to Mercedes at Qatar GP

Lewis Hamilton apologizes to teammate George Russell and Mercedes for first-corner collision that saw him spin into gravel and damage sister car; watch the video, SkyPad analysis and hear from Sky experts on the dramatic Mercedes collision at the start of the Qatar GP

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Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide on the first lap of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has apologized to George Russell and Mercedes after taking “100% fault” for the first-corner collision with his teammate at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Mercedes drivers came together as they battled Max Verstappen for the lead into the first corner. Hamilton, starting on grippier soft tires compared to the slower medium tires of Verstappen and Russell, attempted to go around the outside of the sister Mercedes, but touched his compatriot’s front wheel and ended up in the gravel .

Both drivers initially blamed each other on team radio, but Hamilton was quick to accept responsibility in interviews upon his return to the paddock.

Before even seeing a replay of the incident, a dejected Hamilton said Sky Sports F1: “I’m really sorry for my team. Today was an opportunity to score some good points.

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Hamilton says he takes responsibility for the collision with his teammate while Russell believes the two respect each other and will overcome this incident.

“In the heat of the moment, I didn’t really understand what happened, I just obviously felt the blow from behind.

“But I don’t think George probably has anywhere to go and, yeah, it’s just one of those really unfortunate situations.

“I mean, I’m happy to take responsibility as the oldest.”

And after seeing a replay shortly afterwards, Hamilton later reiterated his fault and his apology to the team on social media.

“I watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility,” he posted on X.

“My apologies to my team and George.”

Sky F1 experts on responsibility for Hamilton-Russell collision

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Karun Chandhok takes a closer look at opening lap collision with Mercedes

Nico Rosberg from Sky Sports F1:

“It was 100% a mistake by Lewis. It’s a slight error of judgment. Not a big error of judgment. He’s not giving George enough space.

“It all depends on Lewis, which he has already admitted.”

Karun Chandhok from Sky Sports F1:

“Russell had no room to maneuver.

“He couldn’t move to the right because Verstappen was there. Lewis came around the outside for the slot and made that contact.

“Verstappen was where he was, he wasn’t moving and Russell couldn’t move. The fact is, of those two drivers, George couldn’t have given Lewis more room, but Lewis could have given more room .”

More soon…