Talk about a throwback! The Qatar Grand Prix looked like a trip down memory lane as Mercedes teammates collided, giving us all a sense of déjà vu from that 2016 Spanish GP. But this time, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were the stars of the unintentional “Mercedes War”. While “Super Max” Verstappen was busy setting the track on fire, it was Hamilton and Russell’s early shenanigans that set the mood for the evening.

Picture this: Hamilton, with fresh soft tires, saw an opportunity to swiftly pass both Verstappen and Russell. But as fate would have it, or perhaps a little over-enthusiasm on Hamilton’s part, there was a bit of a tap at Turn 1. Hamilton took a detour into the gravel, his race ending there, while George Russell had a minor facelift with a damaged front wing.

But the real kicker? This chaos paved the way for Oscar Piastri to dance his way into second place. The young gun couldn’t help but chuckle over the radio…

“Nice assistance from whoever bowled everyone in Turn 1, thank you.” Oh, Oscar, your wit matches your racing prowess! But that’s not all people.

The cool-down room too buzzed with the same witty humor from Piastri: “Was it Lewis and George that crashed?” To which came the cheeky reply, “Yeah.” Cue Oscar Piastri…

“Wow, thank you Mercedes!” – Oscar Piastri, 2023 Qatar GP P2

Read More: “Taken Out by My Own Teammate”: Lewis Hamilton Holds No Punches to Blame George Russell for Qatar Mayhem

And that’s not the end to the Mercedes drama… Or maybe it is… Surely if

Lewis Hamilton takes the blame for Qatar crash in true sportsmanship style

But wait, it gets juicier! Before airing his feelings on Twitter, Hamilton told the press he hadn’t seen a replay of the crash. “I felt this tap from the rear end… but I don’t think George had anywhere to go,” he mused, ever the diplomat.

Then came the tweet: “I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility,” Hamilton declared. “Apologies to my team and to George.”

In a sport where egos can be as high as the RPMs, this level of accountability feels like a breath of fresh, petrol-free air. Interestingly, the two teammates had even chatted about the start before the race, making us all wonder: was it a simple misjudgment, or was the universe playing tricks?

Russell, on the other hand, seems to be having déjà vu, with a cryptic “come on guys, two races in a row” comment. However, he too showed grace under pressure by acknowledging his role in the mishap. Yet, after a sneak peek on the TV replays from behind the wheel, Russell held firm: he couldn’t have done things differently.

As for the future? Hamilton assures, “The relationship isn’t broken.” In fact, he’s all praises for Russell, emphasizing their strong bond. They plan to hash things out “offline”, he adds, making us wish we could be flies on the wall for that conversation!

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All in all, the Qatar Grand Prix gave us not just a race to remember, but also a lesson in sportsmanship. It’s not just about winning, but how you handle the turns – literally and figuratively.