British GP red-flagged after Verstappen-Hamilton clash!

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Sunday's British Grand Prix was red flagged following an opening lap clash between race leader Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

The Red Bull driver set off ahead of Hamilton but the Mercedes driver's better traction saw the Briton snapping at Verstappen's heels until the pair barreled down towards Copse with Hamilton on the inside.

However, when the Dutchman turned in, the Red Bull's rear right wheel clipped the Mercedes' front left, a contact that sent Verstappen into the gravel and heavily into the barrier.

Hamilton was able to continue albeit with a damaged front wing while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc assumed the lead. But race control wisely decided to red flag the race to allow for the stricken Red Bull to be recovered and the barrier to be repaired.

Verstappen was taken to the medical center for a routine check, and while the Red Bull driver appeared dazed and sore, he was fortunately unscathed.

In the aftermath of the crash, Hamilton argued over the radio that it was his corner: "I was ahead going in there, man. Fully alongside, it was my line."

However, onboard footage indicated that the situation wasn't as clear cut as the Briton described, a fact conveyed in no uncertain terms by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner who claimed that Hamilton had no business putting himself inside such a fast corner, as "every driver who has raced here knows", he added.

But Horner's comments were followed by an equally determined intervention by Mercedes team manager Ron Meadows who confirmed Hamilton's belief that he was entitled to the corner.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko chimed in with his two cents, calling for an exemplary penalty for Hamilton.

"I don't think the normal sporting penalties will apply here," he told Sky Germany. "I don't even know what the maximum penalty would be. But such a reckless & dangerous behaviour needs to be penalized with a suspension or something like that."

Regardless of who was responsible, the clash of the titans at Copse will have deprived the fans of an epic race.

Update:

The Stewards have handed a 10-second penalty to Lewis Hamilton for "causing a collision".

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.