Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc’s Brazilian Grand Prix ended in controversial circumstances as the veteran collided with his Ferrari team-mate.
Vettel did not take too kindly to the young Monegasque ace overtaking him to take fourth during the closing stages of Sunday’s race at the world-famous Interlagos circuit.
But, as he fought back to overtake Leclerc, the four-time F1 champion came into contact with his team-mate’s car and punctured his right front tyre.
Leclerc’s race was immediately over as he was forced to drive himself out of bounds, with Vettel soon following him in retiring due to the damage to his car.
Sebastian Vettel and Leclerc’s clash left Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto fuming in the pit-lane after seeing the Prancing Horse’s chances of securing points go up in smoke.
Leclerc could be heard screaming “What the hell?” on Ferrari team radio after his hopes of wrapping up third in the World Drivers’ Championship were ended.
Both drivers looked at a loss as to what had happened when they were pictured after safely getting out of the cars.
And the clash is the latest twist in a season that has seen the relationship between the Ferrari team-mates steadily decline.
The stewards decided, however, that neither Vettel nor Leclerc would be sanctioned following their coming together.
“The stewards determined that both drivers had the opportunity avoid or mitigate the incident and therefore that neither driver is predominantly at fault,” they said. “Therefore the stewards take no further action.”
Vettel and Leclerc’s collision was not the only incident of a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix, from which Max Verstappen emerged victorious.
Late on, this season’s champion Lewis Hamilton span Alexander Albon off the track as he tried to take third from the Red Bull prodigy.
The Mercedes ace was forced to settle for that position following a final-straight battle with second-place Pierre Gasly.
He sent a post-race message to Albon, saying: “I massively apologise to Albon. Completely my fault.”