Hamilton was at fault for their collision into t🌳he first corner of the opening lap in Qatar.

The c✱ontact forced Hamilton out of the race - his first DNF of the yea𓃲r - and Russell dropped to the back of the field.

Russell ultimaওtely recovered to finish fourth, suggesting it was a missed opportunity for Mercedes given his impressive race pace.

Speaking after the race to Sky Italia, ཧHamilton explained why his relationship with Russell will be unaffecte♍d by the incident.

"I think we are a great team. George and I still have a great relationship. We will discuss things and𓄧 work a💞way," Hamilton said.

"I'm happy to take responsibility as the older guy. I don't think Geo🎀rge had ♓anywhere to go at that point.

"I was trying to get ahead of both of them🔥 and just an unfortunate situation. I had the worst tyre of everyone around me, so I needed to try and get ahead. Big risk, ♒big penalty."

"The r꧃elationship isn't broken. I don't have any problems with George, we have a great relationship, we work and we always talk about things.

"So this is definitely unfort♕unate and I'm sure he was frustrated in the momeꦕnt like I was. But we will talk about it offline and we move forwards. As I said, just apologies to all of the team."