Lewis Hamilton was kicking himself after taking the blame for the impetuous mistake that saw him crash out of the Italian Grand Prix and which may have blown his hopes of a second world title.

The 25-year-old Englishman, in his McLaren, collided with Felipe Massa's Ferrari on the opening lap and then went off into a gravel trap at the Lesmo corner.

He conceded that not only was it his fault, but it was an error that may have ruined his bid to add a second drivers' championship to his 2008 title.

Hamilton said: "It was clearly a mistake by myself, one of those things that happens when you're racing and you're pushing hard.

"I was trying to position the car in a certain way and I was too close to Massa and he clipped my wheel and damaged the car. There was nothing I could do."

Hamilton's retirement meant he lost the lead in the championship to Australian Mark Webber who now leads him by five points.

He added: "It's not over, but it's days like this, and mistakes like I made today, that lose you world championships. I only have myself to blame."