Lewis Hamilton says he has ‘no regrets’ after being penalized for collision with Sergio Perez during Belgian GP Sprint race

Lewis Hamilton was not concerned over his result due to the fewer points given in F1 Sprint.

Lewis Hamilton says he has ‘no regrets’ after being penalized for collision with Sergio Perez during Belgian GP Sprint race

Lewis Hamilton (image via SBNation), Sergio Perez (image via PlanetF1)

Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez had a hard-fought battle during the Belgian GP F1 Sprint. The two drivers went head-to-head to claim fourth place in the race. However, things did not turn out well for both drivers after a collision that forced Perez to retire, with Hamilton being awarded a five-second penalty. The 7-time world champion remains regretful for this incident.

Hamilton said he had “no regrets” for making the move on the Red Bull driver on Lap 6 of the F1 Sprint. The 38-year-old further explained his side of the argument, claiming that he was ahead of Perez before colliding in the race. The Briton told Sky Sports after the race, “He was pretty slow, and went slow through 14. I had a great exit. I was more than half a car ahead of him. Then we collided.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=27gmBqtU5Dk

The 7-time world champion reaffirmed that it was a racing incident from his perspective despite the decision made by the FIA. Although, Hamilton mentioned that the Sprint result is not of much significance due to the fewer number of points given to drivers. Lewis Hamilton explained, “It was a racing incident. They saw it differently. Fourth or seventh in the sprint doesn’t make a big difference.”

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Lewis Hamilton wary of Max Verstappen at the Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez colliding during the Belgian GP F1 Sprint (Credits: @F1/Twitter)
Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez colliding during the Belgian GP F1 Sprint (Credits: @F1/Twitter)

Hamilton will start the Belgian GP from third place on the grid after Max Verstappen‘s five-place grid penalty. The 7-time world champion was confident of fighting against the two Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez. However, the 38-year-old was cautious when facing his arch-rival Verstappen on track in Sunday’s race.

The British driver stated, “Third tomorrow. I think we have a Ferrari and Perez. Then I think we can fight those guys, but Max will come sailing past. Hopefully, we can have a good race.” As such, Lewis Hamilton remains adamant that Mercedes have the pace to get a good result at Spa-Francorchamps this season. However, Max Verstappen continues to be a cause of concern for the Silver Arrows.

Thus, Lewis Hamilton has clarified that he sees the collision with Sergio Perez as a racing incident. The British driver was not concerned about the race result, with only a handful of points awarded in F1 Sprint. Although, the 7-time world champion was optimistic about his chances in the Grand Prix on Sunday as he starts from the second row.

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