Lewis Hamilton falls to back of pack after nightmare collision in Mexican Grand Prix
LEWIS HAMILTON was catapulted to the back of the pack early on in the Mexican Grand Prix after a nightmare collision on the FIRST lap.
The Brit suffered a tyre puncture early on as Max Verstappen overtook Sebastian Vettel to take the lead.
Hamilton appeared to smash into longtime rival and nearest challenger in the world championship Vettel while jostling for position on the first corner.
The Mercedes driver - who started third on the grid - suffered a puncture to his back right tyre and changed to a new soft tyre in the pits.
The bang occurred after Verstappen and Vettel clipped tyres, giving Hamilton a chance to pass on the outside of Vettel.
Hamilton did so but then the four-time world champion drove into the back of him.
That caused Vettel's front wing to fly off which also led to Hamilton's disastrous puncture.
Hamilton was heard asking over his radio if Vettel hit him "deliberately" and stewards confirmed the clash had been "noted".
LEW BEATS STEW Lewis Hamilton wins his fourth F1 World Championship and overtakes Sir Jackie Stewart to become the most successful British driver in history
However, this was later clarified to confirm no investigation was taking place.
Credit should be given to the Mercedes team who looked to have limited the damage under extreme pressure.
That did not stop Hamilton being lapped, though, as he continued to prop up the race with Verstappen charging ahead.
It was the first time since Barcelona in 2013 that Hamilton had been lapped - and he was done so after Verstappen by Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.