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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide during the opening corner of the race in Qatar
The Mercedes duo both went into the gravel while Hamilton’s right tire burst
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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided in the opening corner of the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Mercedes duo were dueling outside the line – both went into the gravel, with Hamilton forced to abandon the race with a blown right rear tyre.
He climbed out of the cockpit and was unharmed when the safety car was deployed.
Russell had started second and Hamilton third. Hamilton made a good start, pressing his case recklessly against the outside of the right-hander. He cut off Russell, who had nowhere to go.
“Are you okay, buddy?” Hamilton was asked. ‘I was knocked out by my own teammate.’
Lewis Hamilton collided with George Russell in the opening corner of the Qatar Grand Prix
Both cars went into the gravel when Hamilton’s right tire burst during the collision with Russell
Russell said: “That’s the second race in a row,” referring to a fierce battle between the pair in Japan.
Tensions are now running high at Mercedes and team boss Toto Wolff is – incredibly – absent after an ill-timed operation on his knee.
Russell then said, “Sorry guys. I didn’t even look. He came out of nowhere.”
He later added: ‘I’ve just been watching the replays on the TV screens. I couldn’t do anything. Completely wedged. Come on.
After the incident, Hamilton can only watch as tensions at Mercedes continued to rise
Hamilton accepted full responsibility for the crash in a post on X after the race ended
Russell pitted but continued.
After the race, Hamilton took full responsibility for the incident on social media and apologized to his Mercedes teammate.
Hamilton said of X: ‘I watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to my team and to George.’
Max Verstappen continued his championship dominance with his fourteenth win of the season, with Oscar Piastri in second place and Lando Norris behind him.