Saved By 'Halo' In Collision With Verstappen, Hamilton: Thank God I Feel So Lucky

Lewis Hamilton (Instagram @F1)

JAKARTA - Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is grateful to be alive after being involved in a collision with Max Verstappen's Red Bull car at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 'halo' protective headgear came into play as Red Bull's 33 car lifted and landed on Hamilton's car at Monza.

The Briton said the contents of his rival's rear tire hit his helmet and the collision removed both drivers from the Grand Prix which McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo eventually won.

Hamilton, 36, said he felt a slight pain in his neck and is likely to see a specialist before the next race in Russia on September 26.

"I feel very, very lucky today and thank God for the hello. It was the device that saved me in the end and saved my neck", Hamilton said.

Anatomy of a collision 💥👀#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/uAgBgzEY4k

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 12, 2021

"I don't think I've ever been hit by a car in the head before, and this was quite a shock to me. If you look at the footage, my head is quite forward.

"I'm so grateful I'm still here... I feel like someone is taking care of me today".

"I've been racing for quite a while and we're always taking risks out there. I think it's only when you experience something like that you really feel how shocking it is you look at life and realize how fragile we are".

The stewards called Hamilton and Verstappen after the race and then decided that the Red Bull driver was guilty of causing the crash and rewarded him with a three-place starting penalty for the Russian GP.

Hamilton said he was satisfied with the decision.

"I'm very proud of the stewards. This really sets a precedent and I think it's important for us to move forward for the safety of the riders.

"When you get away with something like that, it's easy to keep doing that".

Hamilton also said he was surprised to see Verstappen get out of his car and walk away.

"At the end of the day when we have an accident the first thing we want to make sure is that the person we hit is okay", Hamilton said.

Verstappen previously criticized Hamilton in July after the two drivers collided at the British Grand Prix as the Mercedes driver celebrated victory in his hometown while his rival was still in the hospital.