Lewis Hamilton hits out at Fernando Alonso over Belgian GP radio rant - 'Good to know'

Lewis Hamilton attempted a thinly veiled attack towards Fernando Alonso after crashing into the Spaniard on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The Mercedes driver had plenty of space around outside Les Combes but still managed to make contact with rival Alpine, the resulting damage preventing him from continuing in a crushing blow for the Arrows d 'Silver.

Alonso remained furious with Hamilton immediately after the crash, although he was able to carry on with little to no damage, with the Spaniard calling his former McLaren team-mate an 'idiot' who 'only knows how to drive and start' . first' via team radio. Hamilton continued to hit back when asked about Alonso's post-race comments saying he was glad Alonso was brave enough to voice his opinion for all to hear.

"I don't really have an answer," the seven-time champion told reporters. "I know that's how things feel in the heat of the moment, but it's nice to know how he feels about me in some way, better be out in the open, what he feels.

"Like I said, it wasn't intentional and I take responsibility for that. That's what adults do."

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Hamilton also revealed he had no intention of discussing the incident with Alonso before insisting he was fully responsible after failing to leave enough space for the two cars can pass.

"I mean, I would have [talked to Alonso] about it until I heard what he said, so it's unfortunate," added the Mercedes driver.

"I mean, it's motor racing, I gave it my all. I tried to overtake on the outside in turn 5, but I just didn't give enough space and I paid the price. It wasn't intentional, it just happened."

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Alonso, meanwhile, expressed surprise at Hamilton's willingness to accept responsibility for the accident before explaining that he was simply annoyed in the heat of the moment when he decided to call the 37-year-old an "idiot" via team radio.

"I was surprised for sure that he has now seen the incident and is taking responsibility for it, which is very nice of him," Alonso told Sky Sports F1 .

“It was an incident on the first lap, nothing to say, as the marshals said nothing because these things happen in this corner. I remember it with Lewis & [Nico] Rosberg, it is a tricky turn and I was frustrated at the time.

"Every time I start in the first row or the second row we fight [the] three leading [drivers] and something happens and it was frustrating. Luckily the car was solid and I I was able to continue."

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