• Italian Grand Prix

Hamilton admits to mistake

ESPNF1 Staff
September 12, 2010 « Vettel happy with damage limitation weekend | »
Lewis Hamilton retired after turning in on Felipe Massa © Getty Images
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Lewis Hamilton admitted he tried to do too much at the start of the Italian Grand Prix after a collision with Felipe Massa forced his retirement on the opening lap.

Hamilton made a good start to gain a place to fourth but then turned in on Massa, breaking his steering arm on the Ferrari's right rear wheel.

"I made a good start, gained a position, got up to fourth, and, at that moment, perhaps I should have just stayed there for a while," said Hamilton. "But I put my car up the inside of Felipe [Massa] into Turn Four, trying to get third, and that was probably a little bit too much. "I was trying to position the car in a certain way, I was too close to Felipe, and his left rear clipped my right front. The car was damaged after that, and there was nothing I could do; you try your best, but some things just don't go your way."

Hamilton's DNF means that he drops to second in the drivers' standings, five points behind Mark Webber.

"Today was a shame, and I want to say sorry to the team. But the championship certainly isn't over - although I have to admit that days like today don't help. The good thing is that Jenson scored a nice lot of points for us. Now, though, I'm already fully focused on Singapore."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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