The seven-time world champion was 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:taken out after making🌜 contact with Russell as he attempted to challenge for the lead after making a fast🔥 start on soft tyres. 

Running three-wide with Russell and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen, Hamilton tried to sweep around the outside of his teammatꦯe but the ꩵpair tagged each other. 

Hamilton lost a wheel and was sent spinning through the gravel and into retirement, whil🐟e Russell was able to continue. 

I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to𒀰 my ⛎team and to George.

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton)

Hamilton told Sky afterwards: “I just feel really sorry to the tea෴m. It was an opp𝄹ortunity today to get some good points. 

“In the heat of the moment I didn’t understand what haܫppened, I just felt the tap from behind. But I don’t think ༺George had anywhere to go.

“It was꧙ just one of those r꧅eally unfortunate situations.

“I’m happy to take responsibiliಌty. I’m the old🎃er one, so…”

He later confirmed on social media: "I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. 🌺Apologies to my tea🐟m and to George."

The Mercede༒s duo appeared to blame each other in the immediate aftermath of the clash aꦫs they complained on team radio. 

Hamilton said he will be supporting Russ🍸ell from the sidelines and hopes he can salvage a decent result. 

“Everyone is working incredibly hard so it’s massively gutting t⛦o have a result like this,” he added. 

“You are preparing,🗹 putting the time in. It’s very rare that this happens.

“I hope George is able to get back into the point🤪s toda🐲y. I’ll be supporting him.”

The stewards have confirmed🎀 the incident will be investigated after th🌊e race.