Lewis Hamilton bites back at Fernando Alonso after ‘idiot’ jibe following Belgian GP crash

Lewis Hamilton aimed a thinly-veiled dig in the direction of Fernando Alonso after crashing into the Spaniard on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The Mercedes driver was given plenty of space around the outside of Les Combes but still managed to make contact with his Alpine rival, with the resulting damage leaving him unable to continue in a crushing blow for the Silver Arrows.

Alonso was left furious with Hamilton in the immediate aftermath of the crash despite being able to continue with little to no damage, with the Spaniard branding his former McLaren team-mate an ‘idiot’ who ‘only knows how to drive and start in first’ via team radio. Hamilton went on to bite back when quizzed on Alonso’s comments after the race by claiming that he is pleased that the latter was brave enough to voice his opinion for all to hear.

“I don’t really have a response to it,” the seven-time champion told reporters. “I know that’s how things feel in the heat the moment, but it’s nice to know how he feels about me in a way, better that it’s out in the open, how he feels.

“Like I said, it wasn’t intentional and I take responsibility for it. That’s what adults do.”

Hamilton went on to reveal that he is not planning to discuss the incident with Alonso before insisting that he was wholly at fault after failing to leave enough space for both cars to pass through.

“I mean, I would have [spoken about it with Alonso] until I heard what he said, so it’s unfortunate,” added the Mercedes driver.

“I mean, it’s motor racing, I gave it everything. I tried to overtake on the outside into Turn Five, just didn’t leave quite enough space and I paid the price for it. It wasn’t intentional, it just happened.”

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