Hamilton Faced Mercedes Axe After Explosive Spanish GP Crash – Now Hunts Redemption with Ferrari in Barcelona
As Lewis Hamilton prepares for another showdown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, memories of one of his most controversial moments in Formula 1 resurface. The seven-time world champion, now racing for Ferrari, was once at the center of a dramatic flashpoint during the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix that nearly cost him his seat at Mercedes.
Back in 2016, tensions ran high within the Silver Arrows camp when Hamilton collided with then-teammate Nico Rosberg on the opening lap, forcing both drivers out of the race. The incident sent shockwaves through the Mercedes garage, triggering internal fury and prompting a swift response from team boss Toto Wolff. In the aftermath, Wolff introduced strict “rules of engagement” to prevent similar clashes in the future.
The late Niki Lauda, who was a prominent advisor to Mercedes at the time, later revealed that both Hamilton and Rosberg were warned they could be sacked if they failed to follow the new team guidelines. It was a rare moment of public tension in a team that had dominated the sport, and one that still lingers in Hamilton’s career narrative.
Fast forward to 2025, and Hamilton is now navigating new waters with Ferrari. While his start with the Italian giants has been far from smooth, he showed signs of resurgence with a strong fifth-place finish in Monaco. As he returns to a circuit where he’s claimed five career victories, Hamilton is focused on rewriting his Barcelona story — this time in red.
