Moments of tension and a duel of champions left the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, on the historic circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. The protagonists? The Spanish Fernando Alonsoaboard the Alpine and with two Formula 1 titles behind him, and the British Lewis Hamiltonwith his Mercedes and seven times champion of the highest category of world motor sports.
It all happened in first round of the Belgian track, the longest and most steep of the 2022 season, when both were fighting for second place after a good start behind the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari).
Arriving on the long straight after the Eau Rouge and the Raidillon, Hamilton “hung” Alonso’s Alpine to exploit its aspiration and try to overtake it. The Spaniard noticed this, he climbed inside the next corner to prepare for the entrance to the Les Combes chicane.
Hamilton remained on the outside until he passed Alonso by half the car, but he closed to turn and his right rear wheel mounted on the left front of the Spaniard’s Alpine, causing the Brit to jump several meters. he immediately dropped out.
But that didn’t stop Alonso’s anger, which exploded on the radio: “What an idiot! Close the door from the outside! We made a mega start but this man can only drive by going first”.
And on the next lap, with the safety car already on track, Alonso made a disapproving nod to Hamilton as he passed the point where the Brit had stopped in his Mercedes after starting fourth.
took responsibility
Calmer and once in the pits of the Belgian circuit, Lewis Hamilton did not avoid the sense of guilt for the accident that prevented him from trying to continue scoring important points after a forgettable start to the season.
“Looking at the photos again, I was inside my blind spot And I didn’t leave enough space, so today It was my fault. I’m sorry for the team. It was right in my blind spot, ”Hamilton said, speaking to the press.
Source: Clarin
