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.
“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.”
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.”
