Renault driver Nico Hülkenberg says he takes full responsibility for last weekend’s spectacular crash at the Belgian Grand Prix but insists he didn’t drive recklessly.
The German driver mistimed his braking point, slamming into the back of Fernando Alonso’s car and sending him airborne.
Alonso’s McLaren bounced off Charles Leclerc’s halo — severely damaging the titanium structure of his Sauber car — and left many wondering how much worse it could have been had the safety device not been there.
“The facts haven’t changed. I mean, clearly it didn’t look great on television,” Hulkenberg told CNN’s The Circuit ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. “The pictures are very spectacular but I don’t feel I went recklessly into that corner.
Altogether five drivers were forced to retire from the race at Spa as a result of damage sustained in the crash and Hulkenberg readily admits he knew immediately that responsibility for the incident fell on his shoulders — even if he still can’t explain how it happened.
“No no, there is nobody else to blame here,” he says with a wry smile. “I accept that and it’s fine.
“It was just an odd one, I’ve had it a few times in my Formula One career situations that will always remain a mystery to you.
“You can’t really explain why or what happened. It wasn’t my day so I’m looking forward to getting a bit further here this weekend and have a better race.”
