WORLD championship leader Nico Rosberg and his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton collided and retired in a sensational crash on the opening lap at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

    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.

    “We have spoken to both drivers and it is not a clear cut decision – we have lost 43 points,” said a strained Toto Wolff, the team chief. Non-executive director Niki Lauda said: “It is stupid. Lewis was too aggressive.”

    Defending champion Hamilton took the lead from pole position, but was passed at Turn One by the German who took the initiative with a sweeping pass round the outside.

    Hamilton then gained speed on his run from Turn Three and attempted to pass inside Rosberg at Turn Four where, in defense of his position, the German driver “closed the door” and forced his teammate onto the grass.

    (SD-Agencies)