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(CNN)Renault driver Nico Hülkenberg says he takes full responsibility for last weekend's spectacular crash at the Belgian Grand Prix but insists he didn't drive recklessly.
The German driver mistimed his braking point, slamming into the back of Fernando Alonso's car and sending him airborne.
Alonso's McLaren bounced off Charles Leclerc's halo -- severely damaging the titanium structure of his Sauber car -- and left many wondering how much worse it could have been had the safety device not been there.
"The facts haven't changed. I mean, clearly it didn't look great on television," Hulkenberg told CNN's The Circuit ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix. "The pictures are very spectacular but I don't feel I went recklessly into that corner.
Hulkenberg: 'I didn't feel I was reckless' 03:19
"It's clearly my mistake and my misjudgment about the grip level there."
Altogether five drivers were forced to retire from the race at Spa as a result of damage sustained in the crash and Hulkenberg readily admits he knew immediately that responsibility for the incident fell on his shoulders -- even if he still can't explain how it happened.
"No no, there is nobody else to blame here," he says with a wry smile. "I accept that and it's fine.
"It was just an odd one, I've had it a few times in my Formula One career situations that will always remain a mystery to you.
"You can't really explain why or what happened. It wasn't my day so I'm looking forward to getting a bit further here this weekend and have a better race."
Photos: Story of the F1 season
Fernando Alonso's car was launched over the top of Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel went on to win at Spa to cut Lewis Hamilton's lead at the top of the Driver Standings to 17 points.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring near Budapest to extend his title lead over Sebastian Vettel to 24 points.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Hamilton celebrates an extraordinary comeback win at the German Grand Prix to give him a 17-point championship lead as title rival Sebastian Vettel crashed out
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Dutch driver Max Verstappen claims a dramatic victory at the home of Red Bull Racing. But how does that impact the Drivers' Championship?
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Melbourne, Australia -- 'Lucky' Vettel wins season opener – Sebastian Vettel took full advantage of a bizarre incident involving both cars of the American-owned Haas team to claim the opening race of the 2018 Formula One season in Australia.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 1 – Vettel -- 25 points
Hamilton -- 18 points
Raikonnen -- 15 points
Hamilton -- 18 points
Raikonnen -- 15 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Sakhir, Bahrain -- Ferrari win soured by injured mechanic – Vettel won for the second time in as many races at the Bahrain Grand Prix. But the Italian team's victory was overshadowed after one of its mechanics suffered a broken leg when he was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car during a pit stop.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 2 – Vettel -- 50 points
Hamilton -- 33 points
Bottas -- 22 points
Hamilton -- 33 points
Bottas -- 22 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Shanghai, China – An inspired Daniel Ricciardo claimed a remarkable and unexpected victory from sixth on the grid after a tactical masterstroke by his Red Bull team in Shanghai, with furious championship leader Vettel back in eighth place.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 3 – Vettel -- 54 points
Hamilton -- 45 points
Bottas -- 40 points
Hamilton -- 45 points
Bottas -- 40 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Baku, Azerbaijan -- Red Bull drivers shockingly crash as Hamilton triumphs – Lewis Hamilton was the chief beneficiary of a late puncture suffered by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas as he clinched his first win of the season at April's action-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 4 – Hamilton -- 70 points
Vettel -- 66 points
Raikkonen -- 48 points
Vettel -- 66 points
Raikkonen -- 48 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Barcelona, Spain -- Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two – After his unlikely victory in Azerbaijan, it was a second straight win for Hamilton as he bids for a fifth world championship -- and it could not have been more comfortable.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 5 – Hamilton -- 95 points
Vettel -- 78 points
Bottas -- 57 points
Vettel -- 78 points
Bottas -- 57 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Monaco -- Redemption for Ricciardo – Ricciardo nursed his ailing Red Bull to a remarkable victory on the streets of Monte Carlo and with it made up for his 2016 heartbreak on the same circuit.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 6 – Hamilton -- 110 points
Vettel -- 96 points
Ricciardo -- 72 points
Vettel -- 96 points
Ricciardo -- 72 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Canada -- Vettel wins to take title initiative – Sebastian Vettel's 50th career victory saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the top of the championship standings to cap an emotional day for the Ferrari team.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 7 – Vettel -- 121 points
Hamilton -- 120 points
Bottas -- 86 points
Hamilton -- 120 points
Bottas -- 86 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
France -- Hamilton back in the groove – Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first French Grand Prix since 2008.
The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
The Mercedes driver avoided the worst of a dramatic start that saw title rival Sebastian Vettel clip Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers sustained damage in the collision, forcing them to pit early them and fall to the back of the grid.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 8 – Hamilton -- 145 points
Vettel -- 131 points
Ricciardo -- 96 points
Vettel -- 131 points
Ricciardo -- 96 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Austria -- Verstappen wins after Mercedes meltdown – Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as hitherto championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, were forced to retire.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 9 – Vettel - 146 points
Hamilton - 145 points
Raikkonen - 101 points
Hamilton - 145 points
Raikkonen - 101 points
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Britain -- Vettel wins despite Hamilton fightback – Home favorite Lewis Hamilton was denied a sixth victory at the British Grand Prix as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took control of the championship at Silverstone
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 10 – Vettel - 171Hamilton - 163Raikkonen - 116
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Germany -- Advantage Hamilton as Vettel crashes out – Hamilton fought back from 14th on the grid to claim an astonishing victory as Vettel crashed out at Hockenheim.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 11 – Hamilton - 188
Vettel - 171
Raikkonen - 131
Vettel - 171
Raikkonen - 131
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Hungary -- Hamilton extends title lead with 'beautiful' win – Hamilton went into F1's summer break with a season-high 24-point advantage in the title race over Vettel after winning at the Hungaroring.
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Photos: Story of the F1 season
Drivers' title race after round 11 – Hamilton -- 213 points
Vettel -- 189 points
Raikkonen -- 146 points
Vettel -- 189 points
Raikkonen -- 146 points
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Monza
Fortunately for Hülkenberg, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza offers him the chance of almost immediate redemption.
Steeped in history, the circuit has staged some of F1's most memorable races and for Hülkenberg -- like for many other drivers on the grid -- it remains one of the highlights on the calendar.
"I like tracks like here, like Brazil, Spa, Hockenheim, Suzuka, just places with a long heritage in Formula One where there have been crazy races," he explained. "Races that wrote history in Formula One.
"There's just something special about these places and Monza is one of them where you drive onto the track and you feel this special vibe.
"You don't approach it differently but every year when you come here you just have to readjust a little bit as a driver. Monza is the last true high-speed circuit (in Formula One)."
New teammate
Photographing F1 with 105-year-old camera 03:11
Earlier this month Daniel Ricciardo shocked F1 by announcing he would be leaving Red Bull at the end of the season to join Renault on a two-year contract.
The Aussie admitted "it was actually one of the toughest life decisions I've made" but said he was ready for a "fresh start somewhere else."
His move sparked what will undoubtedly be an intriguing summer of musical chairs and Hülkenberg believes the addition of a world class driver -- although it will provide him with stern competition -- can only be beneficial.
"I think there wasn't much sign of that happening. It all happened very quickly," he said of Ricciardo's decision. "For Renault to bring on Daniel it's very positive news for me.
"It shows how serious they are about this, about wanting to succeed in Formula One. Puts them a little bit under pressure in a way to build and deliver a better car so I should benefit from that too.
"Daniel is just one of the best drivers on the grid right now and to measure myself with him is a great challenge and a good opportunity for me.
"I think that's to be seen but I don't think I have to hide but for sure it's not going to be easy. He's in good form and probably also in the sweet spot of his career so it's going to be interesting to see."
