Lewis Hamilton says Pastor Maldonado could have caused a huge crash in Spa incident

The McLaren and Williams had made contact at the Bus Stop chicane as Hamilton pushed to complete his final flying lap of Q2 in ever-improving conditions. Maldonado then appeared to retaliate between La Source and Eau Rouge as the two cars returned to the pits.

"I think it was quite serious and just fortunate that neither of us, particularly him, was flipped into a big crash," sad Hamilton.

The Briton said his car was carrying damage in Q3 as a consequence, although he still qualified second.

"I have to look at it afterwards," said Hamilton. "At the end of Q2, I got to the end of the lap, the Williams was sitting there going very slow, and I had to try and get past.

"Then I lost quite a lot of time and as I was coming down the exit of Turn 1 I saw Maldonado approaching quite quickly.

"He came around me, I didn't move anywhere, and he tried to swipe across me. I don't know if it was intentional."

McLaren was able to carry out rapid repairs to get Hamilton out for Q3, where he took second on the grid. But the Briton said the car was still bearing the scars of the incident during his pole bid.

"The front wing was quite badly damaged, the sidepod and I think front suspension was damaged, front toe-in was a little bit out," he said.

"I think once the flag is out and the red lights are on there is no need to be racing - there should never ever be an incident."