Both cars then span out of control into the safety gravel.
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However, despite both drivers crashing out of the grand prix following their collision, Mercedes have vowed to let Rosberg and Hamilton continue to race each other.
At 18 years and 228 days old, the one who is known as Max Verstappen goes into the record books as the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
However, while the young Dutchman, who only obtained his road driving licence in September, must be lauded for the maturity of his drive, his achievement has somewhat been overshadowed by the incredible scenes at Mercedes.
Hamilton started from pole but was quickly overtaken by his German teammate.
After another poor start, Hamilton got a good run off Turn 2 and was faster than Rosberg, who moved to the inside to defend his position and squeezed the three-time world champion onto the grass.
“For me it was a way of making clear I wasn’t going to leave any space on the inside there and I was very surprised that he did go for the gap anyway”.
The Finn had to settle for second spot and moves above Hamilton in the drivers’ championship after running a similar strategy to Verstappen, a strategy supposedly slower than that used by Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo behind.
Jenson Button crossed the line in ninth for McLaren.
“Overall I’m just extremely gutted, it was our race to win, all of us, and I’m also gutted for my colleagues”.
“The outcome is big but thanks to Mercedes to let the drivers be free”, said Prost.
“By continuing with the approach of letting them race it was clear that eventually this could happen, but we will continue to let them race”, said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
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Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda instantly apportioned blame to Hamilton describing the world champion’s actions as “too aggressive”. Nico just happened to be in the wrong engine mode and he derated, which I didn’t, and I was gaining at him at fairly decent pace. “I’m saying that I will go with the verdict of the stewards”. The script was 100 percent unpredictable. “Then you’re required to pass not only Seb, but then pass three cars on track when we know we’re down on speed, and it’s a hard track to pass on”, he added. To win straight away, in my first race, it’s an wonderful feeling.
