2016 Formula One World Championship leader Nico Rosberg and three-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s crashed in Spain.
The collision happened on the opening lap of the Grand Prix in Barcelona with the Mercedes duo leading the race.
After an initial good start, Hamilton lost the lead in turn one as Rosberg carried the momentum around the outside of the first corner.
However the German initially appeared to lack traction coming out of the third corner and Hamilton closed down Rosberg significantly.
Rosberg did not stick to the racing line and with Hamilton about to overtake, having his front wing and front wheels alongside Rosberg, the German slammed the door pushing Hamilton on to the grass.
Out of control, Hamilton spun on the grass colliding with Rosberg with the pairs race ended in the gravel trap.
The race stewards investigated the collision after the race and deemed it a racing incident.
‘The incident concerned started when Car 6 dropped into an incorrect power mode, as set by the driver prior to the start. This created a significant power differential between Car 6 and Car 44 at the exit of Turn 3 coming onto the straight, resulting in as much as a 17kph speed difference between the two cars on the straight. Car 6 moved to the right to defend his position, as is his right under Art 27.7 of the Sporting regulations. Simultaneously Car 44 as the significantly faster car with, at that time, apparent space on the inside, moved to make the pass. Art 27.7 requires the leading driver to leave room, if there is a ‘significant portion’ of the car attempting to pass alongside. Car 44 had a portion of his front wing inside Car 6 small fractions of a second prior to Car 44 having to leave the right side of the track to avoid an initial collision, which may have led him to believe he had the right to space on the right. Once on the grass on the side of the track Car 44 was no longer in control of the situation. the stewards decision read on formula1.com.
It continued: ‘Having heard extensively from both drivers and from the team, the Stewards determined that Car 6 had the right to make the maneuver that he did and that Car 44?s attempt to overtake was reasonable, and that the convergence of events led neither driver to be wholly or predominantly at fault, and therefore take no further action.
Nico Rosberg added: ?I was aware of the situation, I saw Lewis coming closer, so I went for the usual racing driver action of closing the door as early as I could.
?I was making it clear I wasn?t leaving any space, so I was very surprised that he went for the gap anyway.
?The stewards decided it was a race incident, so we will accept that – we will leave it at that.
Hamilton said: ?I got a good start but he [Rosberg] slipstreamed me into Turn 1. Then through Turn 3 he had a d-rate – basically he made a mistake and started in the wrong engine setting. We only have one setting for maximum power and he wasn?t in it, which meant he was like 180bhp down.
?I?m not getting into blame, just a huge apology to the team.
Mercedes duo crash
