Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were involved in a collision in the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso launched an explosive attack on Lewis Hamilton for his role in the pair’s crash in the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Alonso started ahead of Hamilton on the track and both of them got a strong start, getting past Sergio Perez. Alonso branded Hamilton an ‘idiot’ in an explosive radio message after the crash.
Alonso didn’t mince his words on team radio speaking about the incident, calling out his old rival for his aggressive driving style. “What an idiot!” Alonso said on radio.”Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.” Alonso escaped any real damage on his car though and he stayed in the race. The incident was investigated by stewards, but it was decided that no further action was necessary.
How did the crash occur?
Hamilton was in the slipstream of his former teammate heading into the chicane and moved to the outside to try to make his move. Alonso was unyielding, but Hamilton still tried to dive in and take the line into the next corner. But he cut too far, contacting Alonso’s front left tyre with the Mercedes car being sent flying in the air. Both drivers initially could drive off into the distance as Hamilton and Alonso attempted to regain their position.
Smoke soon started bellowing out of the rear of Hamilton’s car though and he was slowing down on the track. The Brit was then informed on team radio to stop the car, ending his race early to cap a miserable weekend for the seven-time world champion.
Experts believe Alonso was not at fault for the crash.Former F1 star Martin Brundle said, “It looks to me as if Lewis comes in and pinches him a little. “That’s not Fernando’s fault. He was on the curb, under control and wasn’t under steering across the road.”
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