The Azerbaijan Grand Prix rather quickly became one to remember from the Formula One season – and it was old rivals Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton providing the height of the drama, colliding on two occasions.
With the safety car already out on the track for a third time following a series of incidents, Vettel – who tops the championship F1 standings and is 12 points ahead of Hamilton in second – crashed into the back of the Briton on the exit of turn 16.
The battle at the top of the championship just took a bit of a twist ??#AzerbaijanGP ???? #F1Baku pic.twitter.com/aIrb93mht5
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 25, 2017
Vettel threw his arms up in the air following the collision, before pulling up alongside Hamilton and appearing to deliberately drive into his rival.“He brake tested me,” yelled the German over the team radio. “What the f*** is going on?”Hamilton then gave his version of events to the Mercedes pit wall. “Vettel literally came alongside me and hit me,” he said.
Lewis Hamilton after Vettel crashed into him…#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/WavDKJ5sp2
— Pit Lane Open (@PitLaneOpen) June 25, 2017
For a half time show can we have Lewis and Seb brawl it out in the pitlane?
— Benjamin (@Tiametmarduk) June 25, 2017
In the end, the result of the collision was a 10 second penalty being handed to Vettel – and similarly to the drivers, the incident has divided opinion among viewers.Some thought Vettel was in the wrong – and weren’t happy with his reaction following the crash.
That's just nuts from #Vettel ! They should throw the book at him for that. I'm not a Hamilton fan at all but that's insane #AzerbaijanGP
— Jay Mooney Racing (@JayMooneyRacing) June 25, 2017
Seb: “What did I do?”
Incredible.I’ve give him another 10s penalty for that comment. #AzerbaijanGP
— Fake Charlie Whiting (@charlie_whiting) June 25, 2017
But Hamilton wasn’t entirely in the clear either…
If Lewis knew Seb was that close, and still hit the brakes, then I’d throw the book at him too. #AzerbaijanGP
— Fake Charlie Whiting (@charlie_whiting) June 25, 2017
#AzerbaijanGP If Sebastian Vettel should go for anger management class then Lewis Hamilton should go to learn HOW TO PROPER BRAKE :)
— NickyBlinging (@NiKiZZ1) June 25, 2017
However, British racing driver Paul Di Resta thought the rivalry is what the sport needs.
Is it not what F1 wants? Fierce rivals going head to head? Would be a shame if this changes the championship at the end with a penalty.
— Paul Di Resta (@PaulDiResta) June 25, 2017
While others just thought there was going to be some serious beef between the pair after the race – more than there is already, that is.
Vettel and Hamilton in Parc Ferme after the race. #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aDECDwdDV1
— JACK 575 (@JACK_575) June 25, 2017
Watching the post-race cool down room with Hamilton and Vettel #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/M5tV942EnK
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) June 25, 2017
Vettel eventually crossed the line in fourth place, with Hamilton in fifth. Although the Briton starting in pole, he was forced into an unscheduled pit stop when his headrest came loose.
LAP 32/51: HAM comes into the pits to have his headrest replaced
LAP 32/51: 10-second stop/go penalty confirmed for VET#AzerbaijanGP ???? pic.twitter.com/I7Hlzy9Ktf
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 25, 2017
Hamilton lost a win because of a headrest, and Vettel lost a win because he's a hothead. Cool, cool, cool. #AzerbaijanGP
— Danae Philippides (@DanaeScribbles) June 25, 2017
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo went on to win the race.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas recovered from last place after a first-lap collision with Kimi Raikkonen to pip Lance Stroll on the line and take second spot, with the 18-year-old Williams driver third.