WATCH: when Hamilton vs Rosberg crash at the 2016 Spanish GP overtook Prost-Senna

In the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen won his first race while making his debut for the senior Red Bull team. The moment will be forever scripted in history as he became the youngest ever Formula 1 race winner. The four-time world champion won the race in Barcelona against big names like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonnen, and Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo. But at what cost? Hamilton and Rosberg's crash was the cost.

The two Silver Arrows collided on the opening lap and paved the way for the Dutch driver to clinch his first-ever race victory. The 2016 Formula 1 season was the peak year of the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The only drivers with the strongest package on the grid fought each other in every race and gave the audience one of the greatest seasons in F1 history. Before the Spanish GP, Rosberg won all the races from Australia to Russia and was aiming for his fifth consecutive race win. 

Also Read: Formula 1 2025 Spanish Grand Prix Schedule, race timings, F1 teams and drivers standings & when and where to watch the race

WATCH: Hamilton and Rosberg Crash video at 2016 Spanish GP

Throwback to when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collided on the first lap of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/ymzAIYAeEA

— SportsInfo Xtreme (@Sportsinfo22073) May 28, 2025

Hamilton, who was the defending champion, was desperate to stop Nico Rosberg and qualified as the fastest driver. On the opening lap, Hamilton was overtaken by Rosberg and the British driver went hard to get back his lost position. Lewis Hamilton went inside the 4th corner as Rosberg defended his place. This pushed Hamilton onto the grass, and the F1 world champion took out his teammate, ending the race for Mercedes. The Red Bull driver got the opportunity to lead the race, and he took it and won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. 

The rivalry didn't stop there, as it continued throughout the 2016 season. Lewis Hamilton won 10 races and Rosberg won 9 races, but the German was eventually crowned as the world champion, as he had 5 more points compared to Lewis Hamilton. The retirement due to engine failure in Malaysia has cost the British driver. If not, Hamilton would have been an eight-time world champion.

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