Hamilton collides with Russell, nearly hits mechanic at Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton experienced a tumultuous Belgian Grand Prix, marked by a significant collision with teammate George Russell on the opening lap and a near-miss with a Ferrari mechanic in the pit lane.

The incident with the mechanic occurred when Hamilton, attempting a rapid exit from the pits, made contact with a Ferrari crew member who was adjusting the front wing. The car's front-right wheel struck the mechanic, knocking him down. Hamilton immediately inquired about the mechanic's well-being via radio, and Ferrari later confirmed the crew member sustained no injuries. Despite this, the FIA imposed a 30,000 euro fine on Ferrari for the unsafe release, with 10,000 euros suspended pending future compliance.

Earlier in the race, Hamilton's aggressive move on the first lap resulted in contact with George Russell at the Les Combes chicane. Russell was forced out of the race due to the collision. The FIA investigated the incident and determined Hamilton was primarily at fault, issuing him a five-second time penalty that was added to his final race time. Hamilton was able to continue racing, albeit with the penalty impacting his result.

These incidents cast a shadow over Hamilton's performance at Spa-Francorchamps, the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar. The penalties and the near-accident highlight a challenging weekend for the seven-time world champion.