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Lewis Hamilton says he takes responsibility for an opening lap crash with his teammate George Russell, in a Qatar Grand Prix which quickly turned sour for Mercedes.
Key points:
- The two Mercedes drivers collided on the opening lap, ending Lewis Hamilton's race
- Australian Oscar Piastri achieved a career-best second place
- Max Verstappen won his 14th grand prix of the season, after clinching the world title in Saturday's sprint
Newly minted world champion Max Verstappen took his 14th grand prix win of the year, beating the McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who finished second and third.
Mercedes had high hopes for the grand prix in Qatar, with Russell starting second and Hamilton third.
A quick start from both drivers had the pair thinking of challenging Verstappen for the lead at the first corner.
But as Hamilton tried to go around the outside of his teammate, his right-rear wheel hit the front left of Russell's car, dislodging the wheel and sending Hamilton into the gravel.
A defeated Hamilton initially blamed his teammate over the team radio.
"I got taken out by my own teammate," Hamilton said.
However, Hamilton said he was happy to take responsibility for the crash when he spoke to the media as the race continued.
"I just feel really sorry to my team," Hamilton said.
"It was an opportunity today to get some good points and in the heat of the moment, I didn't understand what happened, I just felt the tap from behind, but I don't think George had anywhere to go.
"I am happy to take responsibility."
Russell spun during the collision and after a pit stop to change his front wing, he was at the rear of the field.
Both Mercedes drivers had a moment at the previous race in Japan, where Russell was pushed off-track by Hamilton.
Russell referenced Japan amid his growing frustrations to his team.
"What the hell? Guys, c'mon. Two races in a row," Russell yelled into the radio.
"So sorry, guys. I wasn't even looking behind.
"I was just focused ahead and he just came from nowhere.
"Lost for words, honestly. I've just seen the replays on the TV screen. I couldn't do anything, totally sandwiched."
Russell drove a brilliant race after his early setback, weaving his way through the field to take a well-earned fourth place.
Piastri finishes second, beats teammate to cap off super weekend
Australian rookie Oscar Piastri has achieved his best result in a Formula 1 grand prix, finishing second in Qatar.
Piastri took his first victory in F1 the day before, claiming the sprint race in Qatar.
The McLaren driver started sixth but moved himself into second following the crash of the Mercedes drivers.
Piastri then drove a controlled race which had more pit stops than usual.
A fear of tyre degradation due to damage caused by the kerbs on track led to a mandate that a new set of tyres could do no more than 18 laps.
This mandate meant all drivers would have to complete at least three pit stops over the 57-lap race.
Piastri's teammate Norris was closing in on the Australian in the final laps.
But the McLaren team told Norris to hold position and not battle the Australian.
"Really impressive pace, definitely the hardest race I've ever had in my life," Piastri said.
"With the three [pit] stops, it was basically flat out, so it was 57 qualifying laps.
The result means McLaren has achieved back-to-back double podiums, after finishing second and third in Japan.
They are now just 11 points behind Aston Martin in the battle for fourth in the constructors' championship.
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