Lewis Hamilton smashed into Max Verstappen inside the opening lap of the British Grand Prix in a devastating crash. The result of the crash between the title challengers prompted a red flag for the race. Footage of the crash shows Hamilton driving at 180mph when he dived down Verstappen’s inside.
Verstappen had started in first place in the race after he won Saturday’s sprint race at Silverstone.
Hamilton was directly on his tail from the opening corner.
The video shows the Mercedes driver clip the rear of his rival’s Red Bull, leading Verstappen to lose control and crash into the barriers.
At the time, Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said: “That was a very, very high-speed accident.”
JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton penalty fears raised after British Grand Prix crash
Hamilton could be heard asking if Verstappen was okay following the crash.
He said: “I was fully inside, it was my line, and he turned in on me.”
Fortunately, minutes later, Verstappen emerged from his cockpit but appeared wounded and was taken away for a medical check.
A blame game quickly ensued in the aftermath of the crash, with Hamilton appearing to blame Verstappen for the collision.
“As far as I’m concerned, full blame is on Hamilton – who should never have been in that position.
“Thank god he has walked away unscathed. I hope you are going to deal with this appropriately.”
His Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff hit back at these claims, even sending an email to FIA race director Michael Masi “with the diagrams where the car should be”.
Viewers were largely split on whether it was simply a “racing incident” or if Hamilton should be penalised for his role in the crash.