Formula 1 2016 - Rosberg's run ends in Spanish smash

The almost all-out war between the two Mercedes drivers reached its peak at the 2014 Belgium Grand Prix. It was going into Les Combes, on the second lap of the race, that Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg made contact. That contact resulted in a DNF for Hamilton, and Rosberg losing his chance of victory in that race. A race won by the emerging Daniel Ricciardo. 2015 didn't see many flash-points, China and Austin probably the main two. But in 2016, after a stunning start to the season by Rosberg, the rivalry between them took possibly its biggest hit at the start of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Going into the race, Rosberg was looking for his fifth consecutive win, after a dominant display in Russia two weeks previous. Hamilton had snatched pole for race in Barcelona, after it looked like Rosberg would do it, having beaten Lewis in all three Free Practice sessions so far over the course of the weekend. The cars formed up for the start of the race. The two Red Bull's directly behind the Mercedes. The lights came on, then went out. Off the line, Rosberg slip-streamed Hamilton, and made a spectacular move around the outside into turn one to snatch the lead. Another race, and another bad start for Hamilton. However, it was coming into turn four, that the rivalry imploded between the two team-mates.

It isn't 100% clear who is to blame for what happened on the opening lap. Was Rosberg too aggressive in his defending? Did he move over to late? Was the engine being in a different mode down to a mistake by himself, or a glitch with his switch or engine? And was Hamilton naive in keeping his foot in as the gap he went for rapidly closed? Should he have backed out of the move? Whatever the case, the outcome was that both cars collided, and it was the first double DNF for Mercedes since Australia 2011. Rosberg's perfect run, which looked set to continue after turn one, was over. And Hamilton still hasn't won since sealing the 2015 title in Austin, eight races ago. In Spa, the contact between the two of them was minor. They both were at least able to continue, even if Hamilton eventually retired. But this time, both cars were out. And it handed victory, to Formula 1's youngest ever driver.

Max Verstappen's rise to the top had been meteoric. Three year's ago, he was still racing in go karts. He had only one season in open-wheel cars (European F3) before his move up to Toro Rosso in 2015. During his debut season, he wowed the fans, and his bosses, with some incredible overtaking outmaneuvers, and his stunning speed. 'Mad Max' was a future race winner. And quite possibly, a future champion. But a race winner in 2016? No one thought that was possible. Even when the controversial swap with Daniil Kvyat took place after the Russian Grand Prix, no one thought he could win for a short while, let alone on his debut weekend. He hadn't done any mileage in the RB12 prior to Free Practice 1, and after Friday, he proclaimed he was "still getting used to the car". Let that sink in. A young man, still getting used to his car, then goes on to win the Grand Prix. What is he going to do when he gets used to the car I wonder!

The race was one of the most unpredictable in years. After the Mercedes clash, we had four cars fighting for the victory. The two Ferrari's and the two Red Bull's.