Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Hamilton takes ‘responsibility’ for Russell Qatar clash

by Taylor Powling
2 years ago
A A
0
Verstappen coasts to Qatar win, Mercedes drivers collide

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14 crashed out at the start of the race. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Lewis Hamilton admits he is “happy to take responsibility” for the opening lap contact with George Russell that took him out of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Hamilton was aiming to utilise the early advantage provided by starting on the Soft tyre compared to Russell and Max Verstappen ahead, who had opted for the Medium compound.

However, Russell ended up sandwiched on the entry to the right-handed Turn 1 corner, resulting in Hamilton getting clipped by his team-mate on the outside and spinning into the gravel.

Despite initially claiming on team radio he had been “taken out by my team-mate”, Hamilton has retracted those comments, absolving Russell of any blame for the collision.

RelatedPosts

Christian Horner's exit marks an end of an era at Red Bull

As the Red Bull empire crumbles, another F1 era comes to an end

22 minutes ago
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day

How Christian Horner’s final day at Red Bull unfolded

1 hour ago

“I think in the heat in the moment I felt… it was obviously frustrating because I felt this tap from the rear end,” he reflected. “But I don’t think George had anywhere to go.

“I think it was just an unfortunate scenario, I’m happy to take responsibility as that’s my role. I need to go back and look at it, but I don’t feel it was George’s fault.”

Pressed on whether he thought it was a risky move in the moment, Hamilton replied: “No, I mean I had the Soft tyre and everyone around me had the Medium tyre. I needed to get by. I tried going around the outside of Max but just didn’t work out.”

With the two Mercedes drivers electing to start on alternative compounds, Hamilton admits that he and Russell had discussed working together before the race.

“Before the race we knew that we had different tyres, so he was like let’s just work together today. So we were talking about working together,” he revealed.

“It was not our plan to come together! Really gutting for the team because we’ve all worked so hard to be in that position. Just really sad for everybody for my part in it.”

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14 crashed out at the start of the race. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.

Russell was able to continue, albeit down the order after requiring a change of front wing, and eventually recovered to fourth by the chequered flag.

But the Briton’s hopes of challenging the two McLaren drivers for a podium were ultimately dashed by the opening lap clash with his team-mate.

“It’s frustrating whoever you touch with, but it’s frustrating when both of us spun out and ultimately went down the order,” Hamilton added.

The contact between the two Mercedes cars followed on from a close call when the pair contested track position last time out at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Asked if Mercedes would now need to introduce rules of engagement to avoid a repeat occurring, Hamilton responded: “I don’t know, that’s not my decision!”

Hamilton, though, has denied that he and Russell will struggle to move on cordially, noting that the duo will discuss the matter behind closed doors and with the team.

“The relationship isn’t broken,” he assessed. “I don’t have any I have any problems with George. We have a great relationship and we always talk about things.

“This is definitely unfortunate and I’m sure he was frustrated in the moment, like I was. But we’ll talk about it offline and we’ll move forwards. This apologies to all the team.”

Tags: F1George RussellLewis HamiltonMercedesQatarGP
Share199Tweet125Share

Related Posts

Christian Horner's exit marks an end of an era at Red Bull
Feature

As the Red Bull empire crumbles, another F1 era comes to an end

22 minutes ago
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day
Formula 1

How Christian Horner’s final day at Red Bull unfolded

1 hour ago
The Race Makers were on hand to assist a record crowd at the 2025 F1 British GP
Feature

The Race Makers: The stars behind the scenes at Silverstone

11 hours ago
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Upcoming Races

#EventDate
13Belgian GP25-27 July
14Hungarian GP01-03 August
15Dutch GP29-31 August
16Italian GP05-07 September
17Azerbaijan GP19-21 September

Click here for the full 2025 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Oscar Piastri234
Lando Norris226
Max Verstappen165
George Russell147
Charles Leclerc120
Lewis Hamilton103
Andrea Kimi Antonelli63
Alexander Albon44
Nico Hulkenberg37
Isack Hadjar28

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Latest Articles

Christian Horner's exit marks an end of an era at Red Bull
Feature

As the Red Bull empire crumbles, another F1 era comes to an end

July 10, 2025
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 04.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day
Formula 1

How Christian Horner’s final day at Red Bull unfolded

July 10, 2025
The Race Makers were on hand to assist a record crowd at the 2025 F1 British GP
Feature

The Race Makers: The stars behind the scenes at Silverstone

July 9, 2025

Follow Motorsport Week

Join our daily motorsport newsletter

* indicates required

Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd