Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton grew up as close friends, but their relationship changed dramatically once they became rivals at the top of Formula 1.
The rivalry between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton remains one of Formula 1’s most intense partnerships, evolving from childhood friendship into a championship-defining feud during their years at Mercedes. But few moments captured that tension more dramatically than their collision at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix — an incident that not only eliminated both drivers on the opening lap, but also left their Mercedes careers hanging by a thread.
How the Barcelona crash cost Rosberg and Hamilton £360,000 each
The flashpoint came at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2016. Rosberg beat Hamilton off the line despite having qualified 0.280 seconds slower, but selected the wrong engine mode, which slowed him exiting Turn 3. Hamilton closed rapidly and attempted a move on the inside at Turn 4. Rosberg drifted across too late, pushing Hamilton onto the grass. Hamilton lost control and crashed into Rosberg, eliminating both cars.
With both Mercedes drivers out, Max Verstappen went on to claim victory on his Red Bull debut. The aftermath inside Mercedes was severe. Team management forced Rosberg and Hamilton to cover the full repair cost — £720,000 in total, split evenly.
“I even had a contract that I had to sign, which said that if we ever crashed as teammates, we split the bill 50/50,” Rosberg later told Sky Sports F1.
“That was very expensive. We shared the Barcelona bill. It was £360,000 — that was just me. That was painful.”
Rosberg added with a smile: “Obviously, it was Lewis’ fault. What kind of question is that?”
Mercedes threatened to terminate both drivers’ contracts
The crash went beyond financial penalties. Mercedes were so furious that they inserted new clauses into both contracts, making clear that any repeat incident could lead to termination.
Then-team chairman Niki Lauda explained the situation bluntly in 2017:
“We told them… this was unacceptable for Mercedes. You cannot push each other off. We put rules in: if it happens again, you pay a penalty — or we will think of releasing you from your contract.”
Ultimately, the threat never had to be carried out. Rosberg sealed the 2016 championship by five points and retired days later, while Hamilton went on to win four more titles with Mercedes from 2017 to 2020 before leaving for Ferrari at the end of 2024.
The Spanish Grand Prix incident remains one of the most explosive moments in modern F1 — a collision that cost both drivers dearly, nearly ended their careers at Mercedes, and reshaped the trajectory of the sport’s most famous rivalry.
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