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The British Grand Prix has been stopped after a heavy accident for Formula 1 World Championship leader Max Verstappen following contact with title rival Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton had edged alongside Verstappen into the first corner after making a better start than the polesitter, but the Red Bull managed to stay ahead.
They battled wheel to wheel again into Brooklands, with Verstappen again managing to hold the advantage.
But when Hamilton got alongside again into Copse, contact between Hamilton’s left front wheel and Verstappen’s right rear ripped the tyre from the Red Bull and sent it spinning at high speed into the barriers.
Verstappen was able to get out of the car unaided.
Charles Leclerc took the lead for Ferrari as Hamilton lost momentum following the incident and took the race restart in first place ahead of Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.
“I was ahead going in there,” said Hamilton, who continued in second, over team radio. “Fully alongside. It was my line. I gave the guy space.”
Drama on the opening lap at Silverstone
Verstappen and Hamilton collide at Copse
Verstappen hits the barriers. He's out of the car and has walked away #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/mvZZyI2fkS
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 18, 2021
The race stoppage was required as Verstappen’s impact caused substantial damage to the tyre wall at Copse.
Hamilton was investigated and given a 10-second time penalty by the stewards.
“Michael, look, that corner, he was never anywhere near alongside,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told FIA race director Michael Masi.
“Every driver that’s driven at this circuit knows you do not stick a wheel up the inside of Copse.
“You know, that’s an enormous accident and it was 100% Max’s corner.
“So as far as I’m concerned, full blame lays on Hamilton who should never have been in that position. So, you could have had a massive accident.
“Thank God he’s [Verstappen] walked away unscathed. So I hope you’re going to deal with it appropriately.”
