Relive Hamilton's Massive Crash with Teammate Rosberg 10 Years Ago

On this day in 2016, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took each other out on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, handing a stunning victory to an 18-year-old Max Verstappen in his first race for Red Bull. The crash marked a turning point in the title fight and launched a new era for the sport.

Why it matters:

The incident was more than just a dramatic DNF for Mercedes. It exposed the growing tension between Hamilton and Rosberg as they battled for the 2016 championship — a rivalry that would define the season until Rosberg's shock retirement. More importantly, it gave Verstappen the platform he needed to announce himself as a future champion.

The details:

• The crash: Hamilton started from pole but was overtaken by Rosberg into Turn 1. Hamilton attempted to retake the lead on the outside of Turn 4, but the two made contact, sending both into the gravel.
• Verstappen's opportunity: Promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull just days earlier, Verstappen started fourth. After the Mercedes drivers retired, he inherited the lead and held off a charging Kimi Räikkönen to win.
• Record: At 18 years and 228 days, Verstappen became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race — a record that still stands.

What's next:

While Rosberg would go on to win the 2016 title, the crash in Barcelona foreshadowed the unraveling of Mercedes' all-dominant driver lineup. Hamilton later admitted the incident strained their relationship further, and Rosberg's sudden retirement at the end of the year reshaped the grid. For Verstappen, the win was a sign of things to come — he is now a four-time world champion.