Lewis Hamilton says that he's grateful to be alive after a crash left his Mercedes bouncing up in the air during the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion said he almost broke his back during the first lap crash whilst vying for second place with his former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso. Hamilton took responsibility for the crash amid allegations from Alonso that the English driver closed the door on his Alpine on the inside of Les Combes.
Hamilton's Mercedes sustained too much damage in the crash and he was forced to retire as his nightmare season continues, with his team facing all sorts of issues with their cars throughout the campaign.
“I almost broke my back coming down," said Hamilton. "So it's a big, big hit. I remember just looking at the ground. So it was quite high. It was definitely high up. I'm grateful to be still alive and in shape.”
Hamilton's bid for a first win of 2022 was over for another race with the damage resulting in a first lap retirement.
“I could hear something's broken in the gearbox," added Hamilton. "Coming down I would have broken so much in the back end. So I was told to stop. But obviously, in that moment, you're hopeful you can keep going. But yeah, not meant to be.”
Given the impact in the crash with Alonso the Mercedes driver was ordered to have medical assistance, which he ignored, resulting in a warning from stewards.
Hamilton admitted not giving Alonso enough space in the crash and said that the Spaniard was in his blind spot when the impact happened. After being elevated to fourth on the starting grid and fighting for second Hamilton was left to reflect on a podium opportunity missed.
Hamilton told Sky Sports: "It was my fault and I paid the price. The car felt good on the laps to the grid, we'd got it into a good place and I'd made a good start.
"After three weeks away, I was looking forward to racing today so it's frustrating, but it is what it is. Right now, my job is to focus on the next race, I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill."
Hamilton's retirement leaves him in sixth in the Driver's Championship as the series moves on to Circuit Zandvoort in Holland this weekend.
