03 September 2023 , 15:47
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Lewis Hamilton showed his class as he made a point of apologising at the earliest opportunity for ruining Oscar Piastri's race at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Formula 1 rookie was on course for more points at Monza, and even briefly led the race after the Red Bulls and Ferraris ahead of him had pitted. But his top 10 hopes were dashed after a collision with Hamilton.
The Brit, on fresher tyres than the McLaren driver, was attempting to move past. But he ended up causing contact and both of them were forced off the road.
The Mercedes driver escaped unscathed, but Piastri was not so lucky. His front wing was damaged, meaning he needed to pit again to get a replacement which dropped him out of the top 10.
Hamilton was given a five-second time penalty for his role in the collision. But it was academic for him as he finished sixth, more than seven seconds clear of Alex Albon behind him, so he did not lose any places.
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But he clearly knew he was in the wrong. After climbing out of his car in parc ferme after the race, he came straight over to Piastri to apologise for causing that damage to the rookie's car.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Hamilton said: "I enjoyed the battle I had at the end, but a bit unfortunate that I misjudged the gap that I had with Piastri. It was totally my fault and I went and apologised to him straight afterwards. We move on."
Piastri accepted that apology and he told the broadcaster: "The one with Lewis, he came over a bit more than he thought. The stewards gave their verdict and Lewis apologies, so nothing more I can ask for or do at that point."
But the Aussie was also given a penalty himself for an incident involving rookie stand-in Liam Lawson towards the end. He said of that moment: "I was having a pretty terrible afternoon by that point. I was a fair bit quicker, tried to go around the outside a couple of times and... it is what it is."
Piastri added: "We knew we would struggle a bit here. I don't think there's too much point dwelling on it. Hopefully we're a bit quicker next time out and for the rest of the season.