Lewis Hamilton crashes out of Qatar Grand Prix after first-lap smash with George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell started behind Max Verstappen at the Qatar Grand Prix, but the two Mercedes cars collided at the first corner, taking out the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided before reaching the first corner of the Qatar Grand Prix.
They start behind Max Verstappen and hope to work together to stop the Red Bull driver. But that plan collapsed in just a few seconds when two Mercedes cars collided, completely eliminating Hamilton from the race.
Russell started second and on the dirty side of the track. This gave Hamilton a better start and he tried to overtake his teammate on the outside into the first corner.
But this decision was completely wrong for the team. They collided, causing Hamilton to roll onto the gravel and exit the race when one of his wheels broke and flew into the barriers.
Russell suffered damage to his front wing, forcing him to limp back to the pit lane for a change. This meant he was dropped to the bottom of the table, but at least he could continue.
Hamilton was unhurt as a result of the collision. But when letting the team know that he had not picked up any damage to his body, he showed his displeasure with Russell as he said: “I got taken out by my own team-mate.”
Russell swore loudly over the radio before shouting: “Come on! What the hell? Guys, come on. Two races in a row.” He later went on to apologise and explain what he felt had caused the coming-together with his team-mate.
He said: “I’m so sorry guys, I wasn’t even looking behind. I was just focused ahead and just came from nowhere. F***ing lost for words, honestly. Just seen the replays on the TV screen. I couldn’t do anything, totally sandwiched.”
He was dwelling on the incident so much that Toto Wolff, watching on from home as he recovers from knee surgery, to find a radio line to Russell to tell him: “George, let’s race now, let’s make the best out of it.”
