Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collide during Spanish GP to revive bitter memories of their 2014 Belgian GP accident
Barcelona: World championship leader Nico Rosberg and his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton collided and retired in a sensational crash on the opening lap at yesterday's Spanish Grand Prix.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) and Nico Rosberg battle for lead after the start of the Spanish GP at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona yesterday. Pic/AFP
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The two were scrapping for the lead and came together in a fashion that wrecked the team's hopes of another one-two triumph and revived the bitter memories of their collision in the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix.
'No clear decision'
"We have spoken to both drivers and it is not a clear cut decision — we have lost 43 points after lots of effort by the team in the last few difficult weeks," said a strained Toto Wolff, the team chief.
Hamilton's car in the gravel after colliding with teammate Nico Rosberg. Pic/Getty Images
Non-executive director Niki Lauda said: "It is stupid. We could have won this race... Lewis was too aggressive. I need to talk to them myself, listen to the explanations, and then we will see."
Wolff said Lauda's comments were the instant emotional reaction of a former driver. "We have to see all the data and take a considered view," he said.
Aggressive Hamilton
Hamilton lead from pole position, but was passed at Turn One by the German. The aggressive Brit then gained speed on his run from Turn Three and attempted to pass Rosberg at Turn Four when the German driver closed the door and forced his teammate on the grass.
Hamilton's car is towed away by the race stewards after the crash. Pic/AFP
Hamilton then spun and as his car slewed back across the circuit he clipped Rosberg, taking them into a gravel trap.
A furious Hamilton hurled his steering wheel out of his car and then slumped with his helmet covered head in his hands. Both men were unhurt only to learn that the stewards would investigate the accident.
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