‘So sorry guys’ – Lewis Hamilton explains panic of mid-race crash at Imola while chasing Max Verstappen before completing miraculous recovery

Lewis Hamilton crashed in the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as he was chasing down Max Verstappen.

Three years later the Mercedes driver has returned to Imola hoping to be in the fight for a podium let alone challenging Red Bull.

The Silver Arrows are bringing the second half of a planned upgrade package to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

The squad ran the first half last time out in Miami, with Hamilton struggling to have the straight-line speed to even overtake a Haas for P8 in the Sprint.

Three years ago, the American team were among the backmarkers that Hamilton was desperate to clear in his fight for the lead.

The then-reigning world champion was in a tight battle with Verstappen for P1 at Imola when they worked their way past Williams and Haas cars.

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However, Hamilton botched an overtake on future teammate George Russell - not aided by the damp track surface in northern Italy.

The 39-year-old had been closing in on race leader Verstappen on new slick tyres when he ran off through the gravel trap and into the barriers.

'So sorry, guys," the sheepish Brit star said over the radio.

But knowing the conditions, his race engineer calmed the situation replying: "Yeah, no sweat."