The drama unfolded in a matter of seconds. From pole position Hamilton got off the line well, but braked too early for turn one, allowing Rosberg to sweep round the outside. But as the German left turn three, his car – through a mistake of his own – was in the wrong engine mode, leaving him well down on power. Hamilton gained rapidly, at one stage 10mph faster on the straight. He opted for the inside heading for turn four, but just as his front wheel was alongside Rosberg’s rear, his team-mate defended strongly. Hamilton took the grass, losing control and careering into Rosberg. Race over.  Although it was visually more spectacular, the consequences of this crash for their feud are perhaps not as extensive as when they collided at Spa-Francorchamps two years ago. Then Rosberg was forced to apologise and publicly humiliated. This time the team will try to be more relaxed, despite Lauda’s typically outspoken intervention. “He is an expert,” Rosberg simply said.  What will define this season is how both drivers respond. We can argue over it as much as we like but Hamilton and Rosberg would do well to consign it to the recesses of their mind, another chapter in a rivalry which revitalises Formula One with every confrontation.  Malaysia 2013: Rosberg is ordered not to pass Hamilton by then team principal Ross Brawn. They move past it relatively quickly.  Monaco 2014: Hamilton believes Rosberg deliberately went off on his final qualifying lap to scupper his effort. The Englishman declares that the two are “not friends”.  Hungary 2014: Hamilton refuses to obey an order to allow Rosberg – on a different strategy – through in the middle of the race. Rosberg is still fuming about it after the summer break before Spa.  Belgium 2014: On the second lap Rosberg tries to overtake Hamilton, clipping his rear left tyre, causing a puncture. Hamilton goes out of the race while Rosberg finishes second. The team blame Rosberg.  United States 2015: Hamilton overtakes Rosberg at the start into turn one with an aggressive move. The pair lightly touch, but no damage is sustained. Rosberg makes an error in the closing stages allowing Hamilton to take the win and a third championship.
Like the rest of the world watching in amazement as this sporting rivalry descended once again into acrimony, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will disagree to their graves on who was to blame for Sunday's spectacular, race-ending crash in the Spanish Grand Prix.