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Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver retires after Fernando Alonso collision in first lap of Belgian Grand Prix
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Updated 28/08/2022 at 15:26 GMT+1
Lewis Hamilton seemed pessimistic about his chances at the Belgian Grand Prix but he looked to have secured second place early in the race. However he clipped Fernando Alonso as he passed the Alpine driver and launched his car into the air. The damage done forced his retirement as Carlos Sainz held onto the early lead.
Hamilton: 'It was my fault' after retiring at Belgian Grand Prix
Video credit: SNTV
Lewis Hamilton retired in the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix after a collision with Fernando Alonso.
Former McLaren team-mates Alonso and Hamilton moved into second and third respectively after Red Bull’s Sergio Perez fell back at the start.
The Mercedes driver attacked the Spaniard down the outside and looked to have won the position, only for him to move across the Alpine and drive over his front left tyre.
That saw Hamilton fly into the air and land heavily off the track and while he initially continued to stay in the front positions, he started to drop back swiftly.
He was asked by his team to come into the pits and he had to pull out of the race.
Alonso complained to his team that: "this guy only knows how to drive and start in first."
Stewards announced they would investigate the collision but both drivers avoided censure.
Later in the first race Alfa Romeo rider Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton’s team-mate last year, also had to retire.
Max Verstappen moved up to sixth position with just five laps gone.
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