• European Grand Prix

Hamilton refrains from blaming Maldonado

Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado were battling over third place when they collided © Press Association

Enlarge

Related Links

• Feature:
• Maldonado: Hero or zero?
  
• News:
• Maldonado hit with penalty for Hamilton clash
  
• News:
• Hamilton 'didn't leave any room' - Maldonado
  
• Report:
• Alonso wins remarkable European Grand Prix
  

• Race:
• European Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton refrained from pointing the finger at Pastor Maldonado for the collision which ended his race two laps from the end of the European Grand Prix.

Maldonado was quicker than third-placed Hamilton in the closing laps and tried to overtake around the outside of turn 12 but ran wide. Maldonado came back on to the track by cutting over the kerb at turn 13 and ran in to the side of Hamilton, punting him in to the wall and out of the race. Despite being visibly angry in the car immediately afterwards, when asked what had happened in the incident Hamilton was diplomatic.

"I really don't remember, all I remember is sitting in the wall, so... that's racing," Hamilton said. "You just have to suck it up and move forward. I'm looking forward to Silverstone - a big congratulations to Fernando [Alonso] I think he did a great job today. It's definitely tough but we still have many more races."

When asked if he would have been able to hold off Maldonado to the end of the race without the collision Hamilton replied: "No, my tyres were gone so I don't know where I would have finished.

"The last lap all of a sudden the tyres just went, it was almost like I had flat tyres at the back. But we've got a lot of work to do to try and pick up the pace because we were really struggling today.

Hamilton also dismissed the notion that he could have relinquished the position more easily.

"You never let people past, you've got to race for every position you can get."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.