Max Verstappen clinched the Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday (August 28) but British driver Lewis Hamilton made heads turn following a crash with Fernando Alonso. Now, the Mercedes driver opened up on the crash and claimed that he was “grateful to still be alive” while admitting he was at fault after&nbsp;hitting Alonso during the opening lap.

The crash launched Hamilton’s car in&nbsp;the air, with the damage prompting him to retire from the race there itself. As per a report in The Guardian, the 37-year-old opined, "Looking back at the footage he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It is my fault. Just, so sorry to the team. I could not see him. I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.”

On the other hand, Alonso wasn't impressed with Hamilton's tactics and called him “an idiot” on the team radio following the incident. This, in turn, has led to the seven-time champion Hamilton claiming that he&nbsp;would refuse to interact with the Spaniard with regard to the crash.

Having started the race on a good note before Hamilton's crash, Alonso slammed the former and said, "What an idiot closing the door from the outside. We had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first."&nbsp;The Spaniard said added: "Why does he close the door? I just don’t understand."

To this, Hamilton hit back at Alonso and said, "No. I would have until I heard what he said. I know that’s how things feel in the heat of the moment, but it’s nice to know how he feels about me."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/max-verstappen-cruises-to-victory-after-starting-at-p14-at-the-belgian-grand-prix-as-lewis-hamilton-suffers-510979">Max Verstappen cruises to victory after starting at P14 at the Belgian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton suffers</a>

While Hamilton retired from the race following the unfortunate turn of events, Alonso settled for the fifth slot. However, Hamilton chose to see the brighter side to have walked away injury-free.&nbsp;

“I remember looking at the ground, it was definitely high up. I’m grateful to be still alive and in shape,” he said.

Verstappen clinchs drama-filled Belgium GP

"It was quite a hectic first lap to try and stay out of trouble," said Verstappen in an official statement. "So many things were happening in front of me. But once we settled in after the Safety Car, the car was really on rails, we picked the right places to pass people and we could look after our tyres and that is how we made our way forward," the Red Bull racer opined.

"After that, once we were in the lead it was all about managing everything - but this whole weekend has been incredible. It`s been a weekend I couldn`t imagine before, but I think we want more of them, so keep working hard," he further added.

Max Verstappen clinched the Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday (August 28) but British driver Lewis Hamilton made heads turn following a crash with Fernando Alonso. Now, the Mercedes driver opened up on the crash and claimed that he was “grateful to still be alive” while admitting he was at fault after hitting Alonso during the opening lap.

Max Verstappen clinched the Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday (August 28) but British driver Lewis Hamilton made heads turn following a crash with Fernando Alonso. Now, the Mercedes driver opened up on the crash and claimed that he was “grateful to still be alive” while admitting he was at fault after hitting Alonso during the opening lap. The crash launched Hamilton’s car in the air, with the damage prompting him to retire from the race there itself. As per a report in The Guardian, the 37-year-old opined, "Looking back at the footage he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It is my fault. Just, so sorry to the team. I could not see him. I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.” On the other hand, Alonso wasn't impressed with Hamilton's tactics and called him “an idiot” on the team radio following the incident. This, in turn, has led to the seven-time champion Hamilton claiming that he would refuse to interact with the Spaniard with regard to the crash. Having started the race on a good note before Hamilton's crash, Alonso slammed the former and said, "What an idiot closing the door from the outside. We had a mega start but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first." The Spaniard said added: "Why does he close the door? I just don’t understand." To this, Hamilton hit back at Alonso and said, "No. I would have until I heard what he said. I know that’s how things feel in the heat of the moment, but it’s nice to know how he feels about me." ALSO READ | Max Verstappen cruises to victory after starting at P14 at the Belgian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton suffers While Hamilton retired from the race following the unfortunate turn of events, Alonso settled for the fifth slot. However, Hamilton chose to see the brighter side to have walked away injury-free. “I remember looking at the ground, it was definitely high up. I’m grateful to be still alive and in shape,” he said. Verstappen clinchs drama-filled Belgium GP "It was quite a hectic first lap to try and stay out of trouble," said Verstappen in an official statement. "So many things were happening in front of me. But once we settled in after the Safety Car, the car was really on rails, we picked the right places to pass people and we could look after our tyres and that is how we made our way forward," the Red Bull racer opined. "After that, once we were in the lead it was all about managing everything - but this whole weekend has been incredible. It`s been a weekend I couldn`t imagine before, but I think we want more of them, so keep working hard," he further added.

Lewis Hamilton 'grateful to still be alive', admits his mistake for crash in Belgium Grand Prix

Secrets of mind-boggling pit stop timings in Formula 1

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Speaking to reporters before the 2019 cars break cover next week, the Briton was also scathing of technical changes he said had been expensive to implement but would change little on track.

The agreements between teams, the rights holders and governing body expire at the end of 2020 and US-based Liberty, who took control two years ago, want closer racing and a more level playing field.

That includes a budget cap and distributing revenues more equally, as well as technical changes so that cars can follow at close quarters and overtake more easily.

The detail has yet to be defined, however, with resistance from wealthy teams who have historically enjoyed special privileges.

"I think they probably thought there was some very low hanging fruit there and I think it's proved an awful lot harder than they perhaps thought," Horner said of Liberty's initial approach to the sport.

"You can window dress and promote a movie as much as you like, but if the movie has not got the substance and isn't an exciting movie, people won't watch it."

Horner said Liberty had taken positive steps in areas such as esports, digital platforms and promotion, but they needed to set out a clear post-2020 blueprint.

"As the owner of the sport they need to take a position of 'this is what we want Formula One to be, here's the set of regulations and here's the financials', and go with it," declared the Briton.

Promoters representing a majority of the tracks on the calendar last week voiced concern about Liberty's handling of the sport.

Horner said former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ran the sport for decades with an iron fist until 2017, would have had a firmer response to that.

"The problem is the way that Liberty are operating, trying to operate in a democratic way," he said.

"Bernie ran a really tight and hardship. A dictatorship. If you didn't like it, than you wouldn’t have a race the following year."

Formula One cars will have wider and simpler front wings this season, but Horner was sceptical about the changes improving racing.

"They've cherry-picked something in isolation of a future concept for 2021 and rushed it through onto the current car. There's no silver bullet," he said.

"It has to be everything working in harmony with everything else. Just taking the front wing and saying that will make racing better, it's quite a naive and ultimately expensive approach."

Red Bull's motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has put the cost of developing the aerodynamic changes at an extra 15 million euros ($17.07 million) for the team.

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Formula One owners Liberty Media have under-estimated the task of running the sport and must be firm in setting out a vision for the future, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. Speaking to reporters before the 2019 cars break cover next week, the Briton was also scathing of technical changes he said had been expensive to implement but would change little on track. The agreements between teams, the rights holders and governing body expire at the end of 2020 and US-based Liberty, who took control two years ago, want closer racing and a more level playing field. That includes a budget cap and distributing revenues more equally, as well as technical changes so that cars can follow at close quarters and overtake more easily. The detail has yet to be defined, however, with resistance from wealthy teams who have historically enjoyed special privileges. "I think they probably thought there was some very low hanging fruit there and I think it's proved an awful lot harder than they perhaps thought," Horner said of Liberty's initial approach to the sport. "You can window dress and promote a movie as much as you like, but if the movie has not got the substance and isn't an exciting movie, people won't watch it." Horner said Liberty had taken positive steps in areas such as esports, digital platforms and promotion, but they needed to set out a clear post-2020 blueprint. "As the owner of the sport they need to take a position of 'this is what we want Formula One to be, here's the set of regulations and here's the financials', and go with it," declared the Briton. Promoters representing a majority of the tracks on the calendar last week voiced concern about Liberty's handling of the sport. Horner said former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ran the sport for decades with an iron fist until 2017, would have had a firmer response to that. "The problem is the way that Liberty are operating, trying to operate in a democratic way," he said. "Bernie ran a really tight and hardship. A dictatorship. If you didn't like it, than you wouldn’t have a race the following year." Formula One cars will have wider and simpler front wings this season, but Horner was sceptical about the changes improving racing. "They've cherry-picked something in isolation of a future concept for 2021 and rushed it through onto the current car. There's no silver bullet," he said. "It has to be everything working in harmony with everything else. Just taking the front wing and saying that will make racing better, it's quite a naive and ultimately expensive approach." Red Bull's motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has put the cost of developing the aerodynamic changes at an extra 15 million euros ($17.07 million) for the team.

Liberty have under-estimated challenge of F1, says Red Bull boss Horner

Even 'Mission Impossible' star Tom Cruise would baulk at the task facing Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The German's hopes of winning a fifth Formula One title this season moved away from slim and closer to non-existent at Suzuka.

Lewis Hamilton's pole-to-flag victory, the Briton's sixth win in seven races and ninth of the season, delivered another hammer blow to a rival whose challenge has swiftly self-destructed.

Vettel is now 67 points behind his Mercedes rival with four races -- worth a maximum 100 points -- to go.

The battle between the two four-times champions looks effectively over, even if there is still fighting talk from Maranello.

"I know that the situation looks impossible," Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said on Sunday. "But our job sometimes is to challenge the impossible.

"This is what we are going to do and we try to do for the future four races."

In fact, it could all be over in two weeks' time at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, where a win with Vettel finishing lower than second is all Hamilton needs to seal the deal with three races to spare.

"You say nearly (done), so obviously there is still a chance," said Vettel, cutting a resigned figure as he spoke to reporters.

"At the last couple of races we made it a bit too easy for them but also credit to them as they executed well, which is the name of the game.

"We need to look after ourselves and do our bit the next couple of races and then we see."

Ferrari's campaign has unravelled spectacularly as the season has worn on, with what appeared set to be a titanic battle of two four-time champions instead turning into a one-horse race.

Mistakes from both Vettel and the Italian team, as well as strategy blunders such as a failed tyre gamble in qualifying at Suzuka, have cost them dear.

They no longer have the fastest car, with Mercedes locking out the front row and finishing in one-two formation in the last two races.&nbsp;

Hamilton is also in the form of his life and has to be favourite for victory again in Austin, where he has won every race bar one since the Texan track joined the calendar in 2012.

Vettel`s highest finish since his win in Belgium at the end of August has been third and he will need to win at least the next two, with Hamilton failing to score, for any miracle to look remotely possible.&nbsp;

Still, neither Mercedes nor Hamilton are taking anything for granted.

"A DNF (non-finish) and the consequent bad result suddenly wipes off a large chunk of your points," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.&nbsp;

"I know from the probability standpoint it doesn't look likely, but this is motor racing.

"I've seen many black swans swimming across the pond in my life... that's why I'd rather wait until it's really done."

Even 'Mission Impossible' star Tom Cruise would baulk at the task facing Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The German's hopes of winning a fifth Formula One title this season moved away from slim and closer to non-existent at Suzuka.

Even 'Mission Impossible' star Tom Cruise would baulk at the task facing Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The German's hopes of winning a fifth Formula One title this season moved away from slim and closer to non-existent at Suzuka. Lewis Hamilton's pole-to-flag victory, the Briton's sixth win in seven races and ninth of the season, delivered another hammer blow to a rival whose challenge has swiftly self-destructed. Vettel is now 67 points behind his Mercedes rival with four races -- worth a maximum 100 points -- to go. The battle between the two four-times champions looks effectively over, even if there is still fighting talk from Maranello. "I know that the situation looks impossible," Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said on Sunday. "But our job sometimes is to challenge the impossible. "This is what we are going to do and we try to do for the future four races." In fact, it could all be over in two weeks' time at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, where a win with Vettel finishing lower than second is all Hamilton needs to seal the deal with three races to spare. "You say nearly (done), so obviously there is still a chance," said Vettel, cutting a resigned figure as he spoke to reporters. "At the last couple of races we made it a bit too easy for them but also credit to them as they executed well, which is the name of the game. "We need to look after ourselves and do our bit the next couple of races and then we see." Ferrari's campaign has unravelled spectacularly as the season has worn on, with what appeared set to be a titanic battle of two four-time champions instead turning into a one-horse race. Mistakes from both Vettel and the Italian team, as well as strategy blunders such as a failed tyre gamble in qualifying at Suzuka, have cost them dear. They no longer have the fastest car, with Mercedes locking out the front row and finishing in one-two formation in the last two races. Hamilton is also in the form of his life and has to be favourite for victory again in Austin, where he has won every race bar one since the Texan track joined the calendar in 2012. Vettel`s highest finish since his win in Belgium at the end of August has been third and he will need to win at least the next two, with Hamilton failing to score, for any miracle to look remotely possible. Still, neither Mercedes nor Hamilton are taking anything for granted. "A DNF (non-finish) and the consequent bad result suddenly wipes off a large chunk of your points," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. "I know from the probability standpoint it doesn't look likely, but this is motor racing. "I've seen many black swans swimming across the pond in my life... that's why I'd rather wait until it's really done."

Formula One: Mission impossible for Vettel as Hamilton nears fifth title