The defining memory of the Spanish Grand Prix should incontestably have been the boy prince, Max Verstappen, becoming the youngest winner in Formula One history.
But for all the appeal of the 18-year-old’s sure-footed precocity, his deeds were in danger of paling alongside the first-lap crash that ended the races of Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. Their boss, Niki Lauda, blamed the collision on Hamilton.
But, first, the particulars of the smash itself, which unfolded between the third and fourth bends. Hamilton, who had started on pole but was passed on the outside by the German at the opening corner, was trying to force his way into the lead on the straight. Rosberg then moved aggressively to his right to block his pursuer. They spun into the gravel track.
Before speaking to either driver, Mercedes F1 chairman Niki Lauda talked to a host of microphones, saying: ‘Completely unnecessary. It is stupid. We could’ve won this race. Lewis is too aggressive. I need to hear their explanations and then we will see what happens.
‘Why should Nico give him room — he was leading? It was a miscalculation in Lewis’s head. I blame him more than Nico.’
That was just the start of the recriminations. Sir Jackie Stewart agreed with Lauda that Hamilton had been ‘impetuous’. Jacques Villeneuve blamed Rosberg’s ‘ruthless’ move. Team principal Toto Wolff did not apportion culpability, adding that he would continue to allow them to race.
Nor did the stewards point a finger, declaring it ‘reasonable’ that Hamilton should try to overtake and that Rosberg ‘had the right’ to resist in the way he did.
A few hours after the race, and without having had a proper conversation with each other, Hamilton and Rosberg offered their own thoughts. Their comments were veiled. Neither man outright blamed the other, nor did either admit the least bit of guilt.
Hamilton had lost first place to Rosberg and was trying to reclaim top spot when he collided with his team-mate in Catalunya
Hamilton was forced onto the grass as he immediately tried to retake first place from Rosberg on the opening lap in Spain
The world champion lost control of his car after putting it on the grass, as he turns sideways and careers into his team-mate
The British driver’s car took Rosberg with him as he left the track, as his early aggression in the race failed to pay dividends
Debris was scattered over the track as Hamilton and Rosberg’s cars flew into the gravel and were subsequently ruled out of the race
Track stewards look on at the wreckage of Hamilton’s car following the first-lap collision between the Mercedes as Hamilton walks away
The Mercedes of Hamilton sustained significant damage as a result of the crash but the driver emerged unscathed from the wreckage
Rosberg looks on as his seven race winning streak was ended on the opening lap having been punted off the circuit by Hamilton
This was the view of the incident from Hamilton’s cockpit as he tried to pass team-mate Rosberg and the German didn’t allow him to pass.
Hamilton came into the motorhome at close to 6pm. His mood was brighter than Rosberg’s a few minutes later. But the world champion chose his words carefully.
Asked if he thought it was no more than a racing incident, he said: ‘I don’t have any particular feelings at the moment. I’m just disappointed for the team. I’m sure every person in here has an opinion, but it doesn’t make any difference. Today we’ve lost 43 points. There’s only two of us that were part of doing that. That is why I have apologised on my behalf.’
The questions remained. Was Hamilton driving rashly having lost first place for a third time this season? Or was this a legitimate now-or-never moment given that overtaking opportunities at the Circuit de Catalunya are so scarce?
The accident means Rosberg maintains his lead over Hamilton going to Monte Carlo in a fortnight, though Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who was runner-up on the day, now lies second in the table 39 points adrift. Still, Rosberg was seething. He took the story up from his viewpoint.
‘A great start. I was really ecstatic about the first-corner move, to get the lead, and from then I was sure it was my race to win. Coming out of turn three I noticed I was down on engine power because I was in the incorrect mode (meaning he was travelling 10mph slower than Hamilton).
‘So, I saw Lewis closing in and I closed the door with a clear, strong move to make sure he understands that there is not going to be space there. I was very surprised that he went for it. That’s it. Then we were in the sand trap.’
As this fight for a piece of tarmac that wasn’t big enough for the two of them concluded with the pair in the gravel, a huge cheer broke out in the media room. People here had seen enough Mercedes dominance to last them a lifetime and a change of pattern was welcome.
So it proved, with Verstappen driving into history at the age of 18 years and 228 days after a fine race between the two Red Bulls and both Ferraris.
The Dutchman’s rise has been extraordinary. He was already the youngest driver and youngest points scorer in Formula One history. Yesterday he became the youngest to lead a race and the youngest to win one, beating by some two-and-a-half years the mark set by Sebastian Vettel at Monza in 2008.
Verstappen led for the last 22 laps by managing his tyres sagaciously despite having made one fewer stop than team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who suffered a puncture on the penultimate lap but limped in to finish fourth.
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