‘Thank God for the halo’

deemed at fault for the coming together and punished with a threeplace grid penalty at the next round in Russia.

On lap 26 of 53 of the grand prix won by Daniel Ricciardo, below, Verstappen approached the Variante Del Rettifilo at 225mph as Hamilton exited the pit-lane.

Verstappen attempted to squeeze past Hamilton at the right-left chicane, but ran off the track and on to the kerbs.

Verstappen was sent out of control and airborne into Hamilton’s path, with the rear-right wheel crushing the top of Hamilton’s Mercedes. Thankfully, the halo protection device, which sits above the driver’s head and was introduced in 2018, absorbed the impact.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton walked away complaining only of a stiff neck and soreness. But three hours after the accident, Hamilton admitted he was still in pain and said he will be forced to seek medical attention ahead of the next round in Sochi on September 26.

Hamilton said: “Thank God for the halo which saved me – and saved my neck. I don’t think I have ever been hit on the head by a car before. And it is quite a big shock for me.

“If you look at the images of the crash, my head is really quite far forward in the cockpit.

“I am so grateful I am still here. I feel incredibly blessed that someone was watching over me today.”