Tempers boil over at Azerbaijan GP after Sebastian Vettel rams Lewis Hamilton twice in road-rage clash

Sebastian Vettel was accused of deliberately driving into his title rival Lewis Hamilton as this year's Formula One championship burst into life during a dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo won what will be regarded as a race for the ages following three safety car periods, one red flag and a series of notable incidents.

But it is Hamilton's clash with Vettel which will be the main talking point after the Ferrari driver was hit with a penalty for colliding twice with the Briton.

Yet despite his 10-second stop-and-go penalty - after the stewards in Baku deemed Vettel's actions to be dangerous - the German still managed to extend his title lead to 14 points after Hamilton was forced into an unscheduled pit stop when his headrest came loose.

Vettel crossed the line in fourth place with Hamilton in fifth. Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas recovered from last place after a first-lap collision with Kimi Raikkonen to pip Williams driver Lance Stroll on the line to take second. Stroll, 18, completed the podium.

The pivotal moment of the race in what could prove to be the pivotal moment of this year's championship battle occurred on lap 20.

With the Safety Car out for a third time, as debris littered the 3.7-mile track following a number of collisions through the pack, Vettel rammed into the back of Hamilton.

Then, the 29-year-old German, furiously gesticulating with both hands, pulled alongside his rival, before inexplicably ramming into the side of Hamilton's Mercedes.

Hamilton's rivalry with Vettel had, until that point, been built on cordial relations. It evaporated in an instance. "He brake tested me," yelled Vettel over the team radio. "What the f*** is going on?"

Hamilton then gave his version of events to the Mercedes pit wall. "Vettel literally came alongside and hit me," the Briton said.

The race was then red-flagged with more debris on the track after the Force India drivers of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez were involved in a collision and Kimi Raikkonen suffered a rear puncture.

As Hamilton returned to the pit lane on lap 22, with the race suspended, he left his cockpit before examining the back of his car. A Mercedes mechanic, armed with a screwdriver and pliers patched up the bodywork on the rear of his car, and Hamilton was good to go for the re-start.

The race resumed after a 23-minute break with Hamilton once more leading the pack away under Safety Car conditions.

With the earlier incident still fresh in their minds, Hamilton got the drop on Vettel and retained the lead from the German, while Ricciardo made up three positions in one corner as he roared past both Williams drivers and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg.

It was a move which would enable the Australian, who started 10th, to win his first race since last October's Malaysian Grand Prix.

For Hamilton, it looked as though the win was in his pocket, but his headrest - which sits above the cockpit - suddenly started to come loose.

Hamilton frantically tried to repair the flapping piece of silver bodywork by holding it down with one hand on his car with the other hand on his steering wheel as he travelled at speeds in excess of 220mph.

But unsurprisingly the stewards took a dim view of his desperate actions and ordered Mercedes to haul their man in for repair works.

A reluctant Hamilton stopped at the end of lap 31 for 9.3 seconds and was then on his way. He emerged in ninth place. It was at that point Vettel was hit with his penalty which he would serve two laps later.

Vettel, who had claimed no wrongdoing over the team radio for the Hamilton incident, sat in his Ferrari blocks for 10 seconds but emerged ahead of an incandescent Hamilton.

"A 10-second penalty is not enough for driver behaviour like that," Hamilton said over the team radio.

Both Vettel and Hamilton began their charge back through the pack, but Hamilton was unable to get close enough to get the Ferrari driver although he finished just 0.2 sec behind his title rival following a breathless race. The ramifications, however, are likely to go long into the night.

On the incident with Vettel, Hamilton told Sky Sports 1: "You saw it happen, I don't really care about it. I don't know what to say, there's nothing I can say.

"It's done and dusted, we move on. It's just not driver conduct. (It was) dangerous driving (and) you only get a 10- second penalty for that kind of thing, I think it's...I don't need to say anymore.

"I'm just looking forward to getting home. It's been a good weekend and we've still got some points, which is the key. Onwards and upwards."

Vettel added: "He brake-checked me so what do you expect? I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose but I'm struggling. I don't think it was necessary.

"I had a little damage, he risked damage. A couple of years ago in China it was the same thing. I raised my hand and showed him I wasn't happy with that. I ran into the back of him."

4:51PM

Not a bad day for the Stroll family

A shooey, a podium and the Driver of the Day award.

4:48PM

Vettel continues his claim he did nothing wrong 

"Nothing happened did it?

"Yeah he break checked me so what do you expect? I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose but I’m not sure it was the right move. He did something similar a couple of years ago in China.

"Well passed him because he pitted. I showed him I wasn’t happy with that. Yeah - there was contact - I ran into the back of him."

I suspect this will run for a few more days

4:45PM

As it stands

How does today's result affect the title race? 

4:44PM

Mercedes moment

Toto Wolff is not happy with the line of questioning regarding Hamilton's headrest and is visibly irate. 

"This is a team that has won three Championship and I'm not going to let you suggest that someone is at fault." 

"I'm very annoyed about not winning the race but well done to Daniel [Ricciardo]."

4:38PM

A surprisingly calm Lewis Hamilton

"I’m good. I'm looking forward to getting home and we still got some points which is the key...

"You saw what happened, I don’t really care about it. I’m gonna move forward. There’s nothing I can say...

"I think that’s just not driver conduct - dangerous driving - a ten second penalty for that kind of thing [is not enough]."

4:35PM

How they ended the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

4:32PM

His first podium and his first shooey

4:25PM

Congratulations Daniel

 Now, where's that shoe?

4:21PM

Have you caught your breath yet?

I thought we'd be in for a cracker but no one could've predicted that. 

There will a lot of questions to be answered, particularly in regards to the punishments handed down by the FIA.

Go and grab a drink and lets get ready for all the aftermath. 

4:13PM

Your top three

Who would've predicted this?

4:11PM

DANIEL RICCIARDO WINS THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX

A composed drive from the Red Bull man and Stroll thinks he's cruising into P2 but Bottas gets in the slipstream and takes it off him just on the line.

Vettel, Hamilton, Ocon, Magnussen, Sainz, Alonso and Wehrlein make up the top ten.

The other three finishers are Ericsson, Vandoorne and Grosjean. 

4:07PM

Last Lap

Ricciardo leads stroll, Bottas, Vettel and Hamilton. 

Can the Williams really finish in P2? Bottas will think not...

4:06PM

Lap 50 of 51

Hamilton is in that DRS zone but does he have enough to get within overtaking distance of Vettel., Will he risk it?

4:04PM

Lap 49 of 51

Wehrlein leapfrogs his teammate into P10 and their team will just be happy they are still running after they collided earlier. 

4:02PM

Raikkonen retires

They did well to get him back out and all teams need the data but the Ferrari is back in the garage. 

4:00PM

Lap 47 of 51

Hamilton suggests he would love Bottas to slow down and back Vettel up but unlikely to happen when his teammate can get P2. 

3:58PM

Lap 46 of 51

Alonso is in P9 and it would be McLaren's first points of the season. 

Ricciardo is 5.8 ahead of Stroll, with Bottas a further 7 behind the Canadian. He needs to crack on if he wants that P2.

3:55PM

Was Vettel lucky?

Our readers seem to think so:

3:54PM

As it stands on Lap 42

3:53PM

Lap 42 of 51

Vettel sweeps around Ocon and it won't be as easy for Hamilton to do the same as the Force India also has a Mercedes engine.  He waits until Turn and goes around the outside. Luckily Ocon doesn't squeeze hi  like he did his teammate. 

Perez has retired. Both McLaren's are on target to finish a race. I'm keeping it all crossed for them. Alonso in P8

3:49PM

Bottas back in the podium

The Mercedes driver uses his experience to take P3 from the Force India. Remember he was dead last at one point. 

He then sets a new fastest lap of 1:44.398 and if he keeps going like this then he could be challenging Stroll very shortly. 

3:46PM

Lap 39 of 51

Magnussen doesn't really try to keep his place as first Vettel and then Hamilton  just roll on by. 

Bottas needs to find some pace or he could be next...

3:45PM

Lap 38

Ocon is up to P3 and we will now call it 'Brilliant Baku'.

He used that flat straight to get ahead of Magnussen and Bottas used the slipstream to join him. The Finn is now in P4. 

Vettel and Hamilton will feel that they can pick off the Haas pretty easily. 

Also, Lance Stroll is still in P2. 

3:43PM

Lap 37 of 51

Alonso: "What a shame, we could've won this race."

He forgot to add: 'if I had a decent engine'.

3:41PM

Lap 35 of 51

Vettel gets past the poor McLaren of Alonso even though he defended well. Hamilton then gets past as well. 

With Vettel is in P6, Hamilton has to stay with him and Bottas is the next target. 

3:38PM

Hamilton is NOT happy about Vettel's punishment

"A ten second penalty is not enough. You know that Charlie!"

3:37PM

Lap 33 of 51

Vettel leads but he has to pit within three laps of being told. 

Ricciardo leads Stroll, Magnussen, Ocon and Alonso.

The Ferrari comes out ahead of Hamilton with Perez the meat in the sandwich, even though he is a lap behind. That headrest could cost Hamilton a lot of points. 

3:33PM

Lap 31 of 51

Vettel has a ten-second stop go penalty for driving into Hamilton - dangerous driving, while the Mercedes pits to deal with that headrest. 

 Vettel: "When did I do dangerous driving?"

He has cheek, if nothing else. 

3:31PM

Lap 30 of 51

Hamilton leads Vettel by 1.952 but he may have to pit because if it falls out we could have a serious issue. 

Ocon moves past Sainz into P7

3:29PM

That incident

Not a great view, but it needs to be seen to be believed.

3:28PM

Lap 29 of 51

Hamilton seems to have a problem with his headrest. He may be forced to pit as it has to be firmly attached. 

Garage asking him to try and pull it into position...

3:26PM

Lap 27 of 71

So Massa has retired and Bottas finds himself up in P9 after being a lap behind at one point. 

Hamilton is two seconds ahead of Vettel as we await the stewards reaction to that incident earlier. 

Stroll is up in P4.

3:21PM

Lap 25 of 51

Massa is dying out there. Magnussen, then Hulkenberg, then Alonso all sail past him. 

Hamilton leads Vettel, Ricciardo, Stroll and Magnussen. 

Hulkenberg is down the relief road as his front right tyre looks like it has a puncture. No, it's a suspension. 

I suspect we will see another safety car. 

3:19PM

Lap 24 of 51

And the safety car is in as the drivers try to heat up those tyres. 

Daniel Ricciardo comes from P7 to go past the Williams  and Hulkenberg with a superbly controlled move as they head to the straight. Hulkenberg is trying to get past Massa who suggested he had problems as the race restarted. 

3:16PM

We're racing again - sort of

The cars are out on track behind the safety car, in the order that they end Lap 22. Perez and Raikkonen  have already done one lap to arrive at the back of the pack. 

3:13PM

Back from the dead

The Force India team are getting the driver back on track, but be will at the back of the track. And Raikkonen's car is alive again. 

These mechanics are miracle workers. 

3:12PM

Three minutes until the race restarts

Of course, we all await the stewards decision on Hamilton and Vettel. The front wing has been  changed on the Ferrari. 

3:07PM

Hamilton to the stewards

"Charlie can you not see that the safety car is actually dangerous? If you make us go slow with the Virtual Safety Car, there will be no crashes."

Strong words from the race leader.

3:05PM

Ten minute warning

The race will restart at 3.15pm. 

3:05PM

Rules

Two hours of the race must be completed within a four hour period, so we could be here for a while.

Maybe Charlie Whiting is not the only one that will need a coffee.

3:03PM

Steward confirmation

The incident between the top two, Hamilton and Vettel, will be looked at.

I think someone may be on the naughty step. 

3:00PM

So, we wait

The drivers are out of the cars as the mechanics check the cars and there is a lot of awful helmet hair. 

Vettel is back in the garage, Ricciardo is talking to Christian Horner. 

Did I mention that Massa and Stroll are in P3 and P4, respectively. 

2:57PM

Hamilton and Vettel

The German driver bumps the race leader.  Looking at several replays, Hamilton is virtually stationary to let the safety car go as the collision occurs. 

Then the Ferrari swerves towards the Briton. I would not want to be Charlie Whiting today. Someone give the man a coffee.

2:54PM

RED FLAG!

At the end of Lap 22, the drivers will head into the pitlane as there is far too much debris. 

It's the sensible decision as the cars have struggled to get started and we would like to see some more racing and less trips to the pits.

2:52PM

Perez is out

The Mexican is out of the race. 

Alonso is calling for a red flag because there is debris evrywhere. It would allow the marshals to clear the track.

The safety car is still out!

2:51PM

Lap 22 of 51

Stroll is up in P4, behind Massa who took advantage of the Force India pairs madness. 

Ricciardo is in P5 ahead of Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Alonso, Sainz and Grosjean. 

Hamilton leads Vettel. The stewards are investigating the incident...

2:48PM

Lap 21 of 51

Both Force India's are heading into the pits. Perez has no front wing and it's confusion in the pits. They have left Perez standing and they are working on Ocon.

Raikkonen is in the pits but that car looks battered. 

2:47PM

What just happened?

We have another safety car! Raikkonen has a puncture and he's trailing down in P15.

Ocon and Perez collided and the former us at the back, it's a right wing puncture after he shunted the Mexican.

2:45PM

Lap 20 of 51

OMG! Vettel touches Hamilton and it looks like the leader slowed down. The Ferrari driver goes mad. 

Massa is on the back of Vettel and the two Force India's collide with eacj other. 

2:43PM

Which Mercedes would you rather be?

The cars are still following the safety car, much to the annoyance of many who feel it is going too slow.

2:40PM

Lap 18 of 51

The cars all come through the pit lane to allow the track to be cleared of the Ferrari wing. Hamilton is warned about how close he was to the safety car, although he claims he wasn't. 

2:38PM

Lap 17 of 51

Hamilton gets away perfectly, Perez tries to test Vettel and is only half a second behind the Ferrari. 

Raikkonen loses the rest of that wing and we get another safety car. 

2:36PM

SC in

The Safety Car will be in on this lap. Let's go racing on Lap 16

2:36PM

I knew there would be some drama

2:34PM

I'm glad this doesn't have subtitles

2:32PM

Lap 14 of 51

Raikkonen's car has a lot of damage to the front wing, it looks a little to close to the track and he may have to head back into the pits sometime soon. 

2:31PM

Kvyat

The Toro Rosso car just lost complete electrics with nothing working. Kvyat is not having a great season. Maybe he and Max Verstappen should swap again...

2:28PM

Hamilton is unhappy

"The safety car is driving so slow it is dangerous for us. We can't get the temperature in these tyres as it is."

2:27PM

Lap 12 of 51

Hamilton leads Vettel, Stroll, Perez, Raikkonen, Massa, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Magnussen and Ricciardo makes up the top ten.

Alonso is P11 followed by Sainz, Vandoorne, Ericsson, Grosjean, Wehrlein and Bottas. 

Verstappen's day is over, along with Kvyat and Palmer. 

2:26PM

Pits

Hamilton, Vettel, Perez, Raikkonen, Ocon all pit. 

2:25PM

SAFETY CAR ON WAY

Right, we'll expect to see some stops now. Although Kvyat's car is on the side of the track - safety has to come first. 

2:24PM

No!

Verstappen is telling his garage: "Issue, issue."

Raikkonen, Massa, Ocon and stroll have all just, strolled past him. 

As he said: "Here we go again!" Followed by some naughty words...

2:22PM

Lap 11 of 51

Kvyat has stopped on the side of the track bat Turn 12. Could we see the red flags?

Verstappen is all over the back of Perez who manages to hold onto P3 at the start of that long straight. Some great defense by the Force India. 

2:21PM

Lap 10 of 51

Sainz goes past Ericsson and Ricciardo creeps up on both to move up to P13. The Red Bull has been fast all weekend. His early pitstop was because of debris but he is going well now. 

2:20PM

Lap 9 of 51

Hamilton is 4s clear of his rival, before Vettel sets a new fastest lap of 1:46.224.

2:19PM

Bottas' awful beginning

2:18PM

Lap 8 of 51

Palmer is slowing down and it looks like the Briton is out of the race as he heads into the pitlane, following his fuel leak fire yesterday.

2:17PM

Ricciardo gets a message

"Let's get stuck into it now mate."

the Australian is down in P16 and Wehrlein will be his first target, as he passes him easily on the straight.

2:16PM

Bottas bombs

The Mercedes is at the back of the grid and is being lapped by his title rivals. And awful start to the race and the incident will be investigated.

No further action on that either.

2:15PM

Steward update

No investigation on the incident between the Toro Rosso's which probably won't please Sainz. 

2:14PM

That was a dramatic start

2:14PM

Lap 6 of 51

Looking back, Bottas clipped the kerb which sent him Raikkonen's way. The Ferrari driver thinks he has a problem with his rear and he's more unhappy than usual. 

Grosjean has already pitted while Hamilton sets the fastest lap of 1:46.381 to put him three .048 ahead of Vettel.

2:08PM

Lap 3 of 51

Bottas is in the pits and they change his wing and put the soft tyres on. And awful start for the Finn who once again clashed with Raikkonen, he's down in P11.

Raikkonen tells the team his rear doesn't feel very good following the collision with his compatriot.

2:06PM

Lap 2 of 51

Hamilton leads from Vettel, Perez, Verstappen and Raikkonen.

Massa occupies P6, followed by Ocon, Stroll, Riucciardo and Hulkenberg. 

2:06PM

What a start

We have double yellows. 

Kvyat goes wide and as he comes back onto the track, Sainz spins as he tries to get out of the way. Raikkonen looks like he hit the wall and Bottas has a puncture. 

And breathe.

2:04PM

LIGHTS OUT!

We are off!

Bottas tries to get ahead of Vettel and we have contact. Bottas and Raikkonen touch and we'll have to see how that affects the line up. No one has any grip and Hamilton is away sweetly ahead of Vettel. 

2:03PM

Tyre tips

Most will start on the super soft before a pit-stop about midway through the 51 laps, to put the yellow softs on the car.

2:00PM

Are we ready?

It's a mad rush back to the pits as the formation lap gets underway.

Everyone gets away safely, which is always a good start. Now we have to see who can keep their tyres warm enough as the temperature starts to drop this afternoon.

1:58PM

A reminder of how they line up

1. Hamilton

2. Bottas

3. Raikkonen

4. Vettel

5. Verstappen

6. Perez

7. Ocon

8. Stroll

9. Massa

10. Ricciardo

11. Kvyat

12. Magnussen

13. Hulkenberg

14. Wehrlein

15. Sainz

16. Grosjean

17. Ericsson

18. Vandoorne

19. Alonso

20. Palmer

Note: Sainz qualified in P12 but he is punished with a three grid place penalty after that crash at the start of the Canadian Grand Prix. Palmer didn’t take part yesterday after a fuel leak fire and Aloso and Vandoorne have a 40 and 35 grid place penalties, respectively.

1:54PM

We're nearly there

The mechanics are doing their last bits of preparation and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is five minutes away!

1:46PM

15 minutes to go

Here is your routine warning. 

Get comfortable, get refreshed and get some munchies as lights out will be here before you know it. As the drivers' line-up for the national anthem. 

1:44PM

Marvellous Massa

Experience and skill can be vital on a track like Baku

1:39PM

20 minutes to go

Some questions ahead of the race:

• How will Max Verstappen go about passing Sebastian Vettel this weekend? shall we say a prayer for Vettel's wing mirror?

• Can Mercedes make in two in two in Baku?

• Can both McLaren's finish the race?

• Will both Force India's finish in the points again?

• Who will be our title leader at the end of this weekend?

1:35PM

Surprising celeb spot

I wonder if it will be One Sweet Day for Lewis Hamilton, or if Sebastian Vettel will be a Heartbreaker...

1:28PM

Getting ready

The pitlane will open in a minute and the team will start heading onto the track before the national anthem, formation lap and then, the race.

Let's keep our fingers crossed it's a good one. 

1:23PM

Terrible Turn 8

After crashes for Palmer and Perez on Friday, Charlie Whiting advised for the curb to be filed down. Hopefully this means we'll keep more cars on the track today and it helps the chances of a competitive race.

1:20PM

40 minutes to go...

Here are some fun facts to keep you going ahead of the race: 

• A victory for Hamilton on Sunday will mean that the 32-year-old Englishman has won every race on the current Formula One calendar.

• The race will take place 28 metres below sea level.

• Valtteri Bottas set the fastest time ever recorded in an official F1 session when he reached 378kmh during qualifying

• It is the second-longest circuit currently on the F1 calendar after Spa, with a length of 6.003km

• The flat straight down to turn 1 is the longest of the season at a length of 2.19km

• At it’s narrowest point, between Turns 8-10, it is just 7m wide

• Nico Rosberg is the only man to have led a lap in Baku

1:12PM

Oh Fernando

"I think it didn't change much [my move to McLaren]. Of course the lack of victory’s hurts the career and whole team - and motivation and happiness. That's the biggest loss.

"I will wait and see, I will take the best decision and whatever decision I make will be because I will be winning in 2018."

Does anyone believe he will actually be there next year...?

1:07PM

Your winner

There is still time to vote for who you think will win in Baku.

1:04PM

The Canadian Grand Prix

Here was how they all ended the race in Montreal, as Hamilton's win cut Vettel's title lead to 12 points. 

1:00PM

The parade

They are all out on the track parade with about an hour to go until the start of the race.

While the driver's are waving to the fans and wondering if they are going to get rain I thought I'd share my quote of the season, so far.

Toto Wolff  on rumours of Alonso joining Mercedes, for next season: "We all have sadomasochistic tendencies, but mine do not go that far!"

12:55PM

Beautiful Baku

Yes, that is it's official name. 

12:54PM

Last year

Although this is the second race in Baku, last year it was reffered to as the European Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg left from start to finish on his way to the podium.

You can read what happened here.

12:51PM

A strolling thought on Lance (sorry!)

The youngster has been much improved this weekend. It could be the confidence of picking up points in his home race in Montreal or many he's just worn the car in, in the same way that you do a pair of shoes. 

Either way getting P8 in qualifying means it's the first time that he has out-performed Felipe Massa on a Saturday. 

12:48PM

How they start this afternoon

1. Hamilton

2. Bottas

3. Raikkonen

4. Vettel

5. Verstappen

6. Perez

7. Ocon

8. Stroll

9. Massa

10. Ricciardo

11. Kvyat

12. Magnussen

13. Hulkenberg

14. Wehrlein

15. Sainz

16. Grosjean

17. Ericsson

18. Vandoorne

19. Alonso

20. Palmer

Note: Sainz qualified in P12 but he is punished with a three grid place penalty after that crash at the start of the Canadian Grand Prix. Palmer didn’t take part yesterday after a fuel leak fire and Aloso and Vandoorne have a 40 and 35 grid place penalties, respectively.

12:41PM

Constructors' table

12:40PM

Drivers table

It's race eight of the season and Sebastian Vettel currently leads the title race by 12 points. A win for Lewis Hamilton today would put the cat among the pigeons in terms of the leadership.

12:36PM

Saturday in Baku

If you missed yesterday's qualifying, you can catch up here. 

12:32PM

It's race day

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second race ever from Baku. It's the Azerbaijan Grand Prix everyone.