Lewis Hamilton: George Russell crash at Qatar GP ‘100 per cent my fault’ as he apologises to Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton apologises to team-mate George Russell and Mercedes for the first-corner clash that saw him spin off into the gravel and damage the sister car; watch the video, SkyPad analysis and hear from the Sky pundits on the dramatic all-Mercedes collision at the start of the Qatar GP

Lewis Hamilton has apologised to George Russell and Mercedes after taking “100 per cent fault” for the first-corner collision with his team-mate at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Mercedes drivers came together as they went three abreast with Max Verstappen for the race lead into Turn One of Sunday’s race.

Hamilton, starting on grippier soft tyres compared to Verstappen and Russell’s slower mediums, attempted to go around the outside of the sister Mercedes but tagged his countryman’s front wheel and both cars spun off track.

Both drivers initially blamed each other on team radio but Hamilton was quick to accept responsibility in his media interviews once back in the paddock.