"I can't sign that": Lewis Hamilton politely declines a fan's request to sign on a contentious picture from the 2022 F1 Belgian GP

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton politely declined a fan's request to sign a picture from the 2022 Belgian GP, where he crashed with his rival Fernando Alonso while trying to claim P2. The seven-time world champion's arrival in the paddock is one of the most hotly anticipated, with photographers and fans alike waiting to get a glimpse of him.

Although the 39-year-old usually avoids getting in from the busy gates and thus any delays ahead of the race weekend, sometimes he obliges fans with pictures and autographs.

One such incident happened during the media day for the 2024 Belgian GP when a fan asked Hamilton to sign a picture for him. But as per F1 photographer Kym Illman, from the latter's Instagram post, the Mercedes driver 'politely but firmly' denied his request, saying:

"I can't sign that".

The picture in question was of the crash between Hamilton and Alonso on Lap 1 of the 2022 Belgian GP, one of the only retirements for the Brit during the season.

In his bid to get ahead and further solidify his chances for the podium, the Mercedes driver closed in too quickly on the Spanish driver, and his W13 got launched in the air after contact between his rear wheel and Alonso's front wheel.

---

Lewis Hamilton gives his take on the stewards' verdict for his crash with Max Verstappen

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton stated that he was 'very surprised' by the stewards' verdict for his collision with Max Verstappen during the final laps of the 2024 Hungarian GP last weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brit said:

"I was really, really surprised by it. "I think already I was very relaxed about the situation and just saying 'Look, it's just a racing incident, let's just move on'. But considering one car was in control and one car was not in control at the time - obviously, when all the wheels are locked, you're not in control - and if you look at the replay at the end of the move, I'm very, very far from the apex, so there's a lot of room on the right-hand side.

"So I was very, very surprised by the stewards. I don't know who typed it up but… that will be a question when I speak to them at some stage," he added.

The P3 finish was Lewis Hamilton's 200th of his career and also helped him move above his teammate George Russell and Red Bull's Sergio Perez in the driver's championship in 2024.

The 104-time race winner currently sits on 125 points, a point ahead of Perez and nine points ahead of Russell, heading into the Belgian GP this weekend.