Fernando Alonso apologizes to Lewis Hamilton and plans talks with Mercedes star

Fernando Alonso has apologized to Lewis Hamilton after calling the seven-time world champion an "idiot" after the pair collided in the Belgian Grand Prix. The Spaniard said he planned to speak to the Mercedes driver as he sought to bury the hatchet after last week's tension.

Reporters have asked Alonso if he regrets his remarks ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. The Alpine man said he thought the situation had been exaggerated due to the 37-year-old's nationality, but still apologized for his language.

“It became a huge thing,” said the two-time world champion. "First it's Lewis, he's a champion, a legend of our time and then when you say something - and I'm sorry to repeat it - against a British driver there's huge media involvement after that. ."

"They said a lot of things to Checo [Sergio Perez], to Carlos [Sainz], to me - if you say something to a Latin driver, everything is a little more fun. If you say it to Lewis c is a bit more serious.

"But yeah, I'm sorry. I feel like...I don't think what I said. There wasn't much to complain about at the time, to be honest, watching replays because it was the first round and we are all very close to each other.

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"The heat of the moment and the adrenaline of the moment, finally fighting for the top two, the top three, made me say those comments I shouldn't say.

"But at the same time, and as I said after the race, I said it was a racing incident in my opinion."

He later said he would look to approach his fellow star once they were done with television duties to try and mend the relationship.

"No, not yet. When we do the TV pen, I'll approach him and ask him to apologize if he took it that way," he said.

"I have absolutely no problem with him and I have immense respect for him."

The two former world champions crashed during the first lap of Sunday's Grand Prix at Spa, leading to tensions rising between the two. The impact sent the Briton flying with the resulting damage, forcing the Mercedes man to retire. Alonso recovered well to finish in an impressive fifth position.

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Immediately after the incident, the Spaniard launched a verbal tirade against his former McLaren team-mate calling him an "idiot" who only knew how to run from first position. In response, Hamilton said he didn't care what his rival had to say while admitting he was responsible for what happened.

He then jokingly posted a picture on his Instagram of a signed Mercedes cap addressed to Fernando in a bid to shed some light on the situation.

It remains to be seen whether or not Hamilton will agree to Alonso's request for talks, but both drivers are expected to handle the situation professionally given their vast experience.