MERCEDES star Lewis Hamilton has insisted his crash with Fernando Alonso was his fault at the Belgian Grand Prix after he was branded as an "idiot" by the Alpine ace.

The 37-year-old was forced to retire after he made contact with the Spanish icon in the first lap at Spa.

A spectacular impact between the legends of Formula One saw Hamilton going over the top of Alonso as he flew through the air.

Raging over the team radio, Alonso fumed: "What an idiot!

"Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start.

"But this guy only knows how to drive and start in first."

And Hamilton has responded to Alonso's remarks as he acknowledged it was his fault.

He told Sky Sports: "I’m looking back at the footage and he was in my blind spot and I didn’t leave him enough space.

"So it was my fault today.

"I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill."

Hamilton was then asked for his opinion of Alonso's harsh words, though he insisted he didn't care what his rival had to say.

He commented: "It doesn't really matter what he said.. I don't really care.

"Like I said, It was my fault. I couldn't see him, he was right in my blind spot."

It is the first time this season that Hamilton has failed to finish a race, with the GP won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate George Russell came home in fourth spot behind Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz, with Alonso completing the top five.