Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen crash at Italian GP as Daniel Ricciardo takes victory

Dutchman's car was wedged on top of the British rival's after spectacular collision at Monza on Sunday, with Ricciardo clinching memorable win

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  Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing collides with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, left, during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday, September 12, 2021. EPA

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  Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton crashes with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday. AP

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  Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after crashing out of the race with Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Reuters

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  Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton crashes out of the race on Sunday. Reuters

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  Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton gets out of his car following a collision with Red Bull's driver Max Verstappen in Monza. AFP

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  Lewis Hamilton collides with Red Bull's driver Max Verstappen. AFP

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  Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton following a collision with Red Bull's driver Max Verstappen. AFP

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  Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton after their crash in Monza. Getty

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  Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton crash out of the race. Reuters

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  Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash out of the race. Reuters

Championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday after colliding halfway through the race as Daniel Ricciardo took home the victory.

Mercedes' seven-time world champion and championship leader Verstappen crashed into each other when Hamilton, who had pitted, returned to the race alongside the Red Bull driver. The rivals collided at the chicane at Monza and Verstappen's car wedged on top of the Briton's car in the gravel.

Both drivers stepped out and the safety car was deployed.

“That is what happens when you don't leave any room,” said a furious Verstappen, who jumped out of the cockpit and stormed away, without checking on Hamilton's condition.

Hamilton eventually emerged from his car, appearing to be unharmed in the second collision in five races between the pair. Verstappen's five-point lead in the championship remains unchanged.

"For everyone asking, Lewis is OK. He's on his way back to the paddock now," Mercedes posted on Twitter.

Later, Hamilton told Sky Sports: "I'm a little bit stiff and a bit sore on my neck. It [Verstappen's car] landed on my head - but I'll be OK.

"From what I remember, I was racing as hard as I could. I finally got past Lando [Norris] and was in the lead so they pitted me. The pit stop was slow... I came out and saw Daniel come past, Max was coming.

"I made sure I left a car's width on the outside for him. I went into turn one and I was ahead and was ahead going into turn two, then all of a sudden he was on top of me."

The race went ahead, pushed to the background, and Ricciardo took advantage of the accident to claim McLaren's first victory since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Australian driver led home a one-two finish for the British team with Lando Norris taking a career-best second.

"About time," Ricciardo said. "To lead literally from start to finish, I don't think any of us expected that. To not only win but to get a one-two, it's insane. For McLaren to be on the podium is huge."

The former Red Bull and Renault driver, now an eight-time grand prix winner, started on the front row and seized the lead from Verstappen at the start. Valtteri Bottas was third for Mercedes.

Despite McLaren's memorable result, the day will be remembered for the collision.

After Hamilton left the pit lane on lap 26, Verstappen drew alongside his championship rival. The Briton moved to his left to defend his position, with the Mercedes driver narrowly ahead for the ensuing left-hander.

Verstappen ran out of room, and ran over the kerb which launched his Red Bull out of control and into Hamilton's Mercedes.

The rear of the Dutchman's machine ran over the top of Hamilton's helmet, with the protective halo device absorbing the impact.

It was their second incident in five races after the opening-lap crash at July's British Grand Prix. Verstappen will have a three-place grid drop at the Russian Grand Prix after stewards ruled he was mainly to blame for a collision.

Ricciardo started second, but took the lead after beating Verstappen in opening chicane.

Norris pulled in on lap 24, with Hamilton in on lap 25, but the Briton's stop was slow, and he emerged from the pits side by side with Verstappen. The two then sensationally collided.

The safety car was deployed for four laps with Ricciardo executing a perfect restart.

Norris had fallen behind Charles Leclerc, but delivered a gutsy move on the inside of the Curva Grande to move ahead of the Ferrari and secure a remarkable one-two finish for Britain's most successful Formula One team.

"We have had an awesome weekend," said Norris. "Four years ago, I joined this team and we have been working towards this. I am happy for Daniel and happy for the team."

It was also Ricciardo’s first win since Monaco in 2018. He finished 1.747 seconds ahead of teammate Norris and 4.921 ahead of Bottas, who turned in a strong performance after starting from the back of the grid after a penalty for taking a new engine.