Hamilton apologises after last lap crash

Lewis Hamilton admitted he made a mistake after crashing heavily out of a sure podium place on the last lap of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion had just set the fastest first sector of the entire race in pursuit of Brawn's Jenson Button, but lost the rear of his McLaren on the exit of the first Lesmo curve.

"We didn't have the pace so I was pushing every lap like it was qualifying. The car was still good today, just not good enough. I can only apologise to my team and all my fans," the Briton told the BBC.

His team boss Martin Whitmarsh admitted disappointment with the loss of the podium, and even a hint of regret at not advising Hamilton to secure the result.

But he also said of the 24-year-old: "You can criticise us or him but we are a racing team and he is a great racing driver. He was pushing to the end -- that's how he is."