7 Infamous Crashes in Mercedes F1 History
From high-speed shunts to era-defining moments, these crashes shaped the legacy of Mercedes in Grand Prix racing.
7. Lewis Hamilton – 2021 British Grand Prix
Although Hamilton ultimately won the race, his first-lap contact with Max Verstappen at one of the fastest corners on the calendar was one of the most controversial incidents in recent F1 history. Verstappen crashed into the barriers at high speed, suffering a 51G impact.
Penalty: 10-second time penalty for Hamilton.
Wider significance: Escalated an already heated title rivalry that would define the 2021 season.
6. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton – 2014 Belgian Grand Prix
Rosberg clipped Hamilton’s rear tire while attempting an ambitious move on Lap 2 at Spa-Francorchamps. The contact caused terminal damage to Hamilton’s car, who later retired. Rosberg was able to finish second.
Controversy: Sparked major tensions within the team, as Mercedes publicly blamed Rosberg and said he “took responsibility.”
Championship effect: Rosberg extended his points lead, but Hamilton would ultimately win the 2014 title.
5. Valtteri Bottas – 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (Imola)
On a drying track, George Russell (then at Williams) attempted an overtake on Bottas down the main straight. Slight contact led to a massive crash that eliminated both cars and triggered heated post-race finger-pointing. Russell angrily confronted Bottas in the gravel trap.
Impact: Intensified speculation about Russell replacing Bottas at Mercedes (which happened in 2022).
Speed: Estimated impact was over 300 km/h before contact.
4. George Russell – 2023 Singapore Grand Prix
Russell had driven a stellar race in Singapore and was in position to challenge for the win. On the final lap, while pushing hard to overtake Lando Norris, he clipped the wall on the entry to Turn 10 and crashed out.
Impact: Cost Mercedes a likely double podium; Russell admitted it was a “heartbreaking” unforced error.
Symbolism: Showed the razor-thin margins in street circuits and the growing pressure in a tough season.
3. Lewis Hamilton – 2007 Chinese Grand Prix (with McLaren-Mercedes)
While not driving for the Mercedes works team, Hamilton was powered by a Mercedes engine during his rookie season at McLaren. In the penultimate race, he famously slid into the gravel pit entry at Shanghai after staying out too long on worn intermediate tires.
Impact: Cost him a near-certain world championship in his debut season.
Legacy: One of the most painful title near-misses in F1 history, indirectly influencing his later move to Mercedes.
2. Valtteri Bottas – 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix
In wet conditions, Bottas had a poor start and misjudged his braking into Turn 1, rear-ending Lando Norris and triggering a multi-car pileup that also took out Sergio Pérez and indirectly affected Max Verstappen. Bottas himself retired on the spot.
Impact: Caused major damage to rival Red Bull cars; seen as a controversial moment in the title battle between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Penalty: Five-place grid drop at the following round.
1. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg – 2016 Spanish Grand Prix
In one of the most shocking intra-team clashes of the modern era, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took each other out on the opening lap of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Rosberg, leading into Turn 4, had switched to an incorrect engine mode and lost power briefly. Hamilton, sensing an opportunity, attempted a pass on the inside, but was squeezed onto the grass. The resulting loss of control sent Hamilton into Rosberg, eliminating both cars instantly.
Impact: First double DNF for Mercedes since 2011; pivotal in escalating their intense rivalry.
Championship context: Rosberg went on to win the title that year by 5 points.
Dishonorable Mention: Pierre Levegh – 1955 Le Mans Disaster
Though not an F1 event, the 1955 Le Mans disaster involved Mercedes and shaped the company's motorsport future. Pierre Levegh’s 300 SLR collided with an Austin-Healey and was launched into the crowd, killing Levegh and over 80 spectators. It remains the deadliest crash in motorsport history.
Aftermath: Mercedes withdrew from racing entirely after the 1955 season and didn’t return to Formula 1 as a works team until 2010.
Historical shadow: The event casts a long shadow over motorsport safety reforms and Mercedes’ legacy.
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