Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen involved in high-speed collision at British Grand Prix

© Jon Super/AP Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, left, and Red Bull ‘s Max Verstappen of the Netherlands take a curve side-by-side at the start of the British Formula One Grand Prix, at the Silverstone circuit, in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who is leading the drivers’ championship this season, were involved in a high-speed collision on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton made a number of attempts to overtake Verstappen on that first lap and when the drivers arrived at Silverstone’s Copse Corner, the Briton’s front-left wheel touched the Red Bull driver’s back-right tire.

Verstappen span off the track and across the gravel before crashing into the barriers, though the Dutchman was able to walk away from his wrecked car.

The race was suspended with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the lead.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Hamilton had been “completely out of order.”

“Everyone who’s driven that corner knows you don’t stick a wheel up the inside at Copse,” Horner told Channel 4. “He’s put him in the fence. Thank god he’s not been hurt. It was a desperate move.”

Race stewards then handed Hamilton a 10-second penalty for the incident with Verstappen.

“I was ahead coming in there,” said Hamilton in a radio call with his team. “It was my line. I was giving the guy space.”

Despite the penalty, Hamilton chased down Leclerc and on lap 50 swept past the Ferrari — on Copse Corner of all places — to take the lead and then secure his 99th race victory.

Sunday’s race was attended by 140,000 people, according to organizers at Silverstone.

© Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images Ahead of the British GP, Hamilton had trailed Verstappen by 33 points in drivers’ championship.