Advertisement

'Sore loser': Lewis Hamilton savaged by rival after crash

chris young
Sports Reporter
·2-min read
A 50-50 split image shows Alexander Albon on the left and Lewis Hamilton on the right.
Red Bull's Alexander Albon was furious after a collision with Lewis Hamilton, their second in three races, once again cost him a shot at his maiden F1 podium. Pictures: Getty Images

Red Bull F1 driver Alexander Albon was left shaking his head after being denied his maiden podium again, thanks to another clash with Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Albon’s first shot at an F1 podium went begging last season, when Hamilton spun him around from second place at the Brazilian Grand Prix in the race’s dying stages.

‘WE UNDERSTOOD’: Daniel Ricciardo explains F1 drivers' refusal to kneel

CARNAGE: Valtteri Bottas wins dramatic F1 season opener

It was an eerily similar situation for the pair at the season opening Austrian GP on Sunday night (AEST), with Albon hunting down Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Vaterri Bottas for the lead.

A bold pass around the outside of Hamilton went awry as the British driver touched Albon’s right rear wheel, sending the Red Bull driver into a spin and to the back of the field.

“This guy is such a sore loser,” a furious Albon said on team radio immediately after the spin.

The Thai driver would be forced to retire from the race a few laps later with engine troubles, but was still feeling terse about the incident after the race.

Albon firmly believed the collision had cost him a chance to win the grand prix.

“I am a bit fresh right now so I have got to be careful with what I say,” he said.

“I really felt like we could have won that race. Of course Mercedes had the outright pace today, but the guys did a great job with strategy.

“I feel like this one, I wouldn't say hurts more, but I felt like Brazil was a bit more 50/50.

“This one, I felt like I did the move already, and I was already focusing on Bottas. It was so late, the contact.

“I think there is always a risk of overtaking on the outside, but I gave it as much space as I really could.

“I was right on the edge and I knew as long as I gave all the space I could give to him it is up to him if he wants to crash or not.”

Asked if he wanted to talk to Hamilton, Albon said he’d ‘cool off’ and revisit the issue later.