Following their contentious collision in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso took it easy to avoid a drawn-out verbal exchange on Monday.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton of Mercedes and his former McLaren teammate collided on the first lap, with Hamilton being forced to retire after flying over his rival’s Alpine vehicle.
The seasoned Spaniard called the British driver “an idiot” in the heat of the moment.
On social media, Hamilton reviewed the situation and wrote: “I want to start by apologising to my supporters, particularly those that came out to see me.
“The sensation left behind after a mistake still hurts after over 30 years of racing.
Alonso, 41, distanced himself from the impact of his initial outburst on team radio when he said: “What an idiot! “, and he was also more collected in his remarks following the race. from outside, shut the door.
Even though we got a strong start, the driver only understands how to start in first and drive.
Despite accepting full responsibility for the crash, Alonso’s immediate rage visibly upset Hamilton.
He implied that he had planned to talk to the Spaniard until he “heard what he had to say. I know that’s how things seem in the heat of the moment, but it’s good to know how he feels about me”.
Alonso said “”The radio, regardless, when you communicate, you talk to your engineer and to your crew,” the speaker continued, “I was outraged.
Continues to push
“It’s unfortunate that everything is sometimes televised because if it is, it reflects what you are saying at the time and how you are acting toward the media.
“Normally, when you speak on the radio, it’s just a statement to your team.”
I was quite irritated there, he said.
“Sadly, I had the impression that something was happening every time we began in the first few rows of the grid.
However, it was a common occurrence, and as a result Lewis was forced to withdraw the vehicle.
Prior to calming down and coming in sixth in the race, Alonso was spotted waving a finger at Hamilton on lap two.
Since falling out as teammates at McLaren during Hamilton’s debut season in 2007, the two have had a colourful relationship. After one year of a three-year deal, Alonso quit the club.
The accident came to an end for the 37-year-old Hamilton’s miserable weekend. Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver who set the early pace, won the race from 14th on the grid despite receiving a penalty.
The British driver, who has yet to win a championship, added, “We’re not where we want to be.”
“However, we won’t give up until we reach the place where we know we belong. Life happens sometimes, but how we get back up is more important than how we fell in the first place.
I’ll do all in my power to bounce back stronger.
Alonso also liked to make fun of Ferrari, with whom he made strategic mistakes, particularly in 2010 when he was attempting to win his third drivers’ championship.
When questioned about the peculiar tactics used by the Italian squad in Belgium, where Charles Leclerc finished sixth, he replied he was unsurprised.
“No, not really. Ferrari has a history of odd behaviour, and it was simply one more odd occurrence.”