Lewis Hamilton wins Austrian Grand Prix after last-lap collision with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg

Joyous scenes for Lewis Hamilton in Austria.

AFP/Getty Images

Press Association3 July 2016

Lewis Hamilton won the Austrian Grand Prix after a dramatic last-lap collision with championship rival Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg appeared on course to claim his sixth victory of the season, but crashed into Hamilton as the Briton attempted to pass his Mercedes team-mate around the outside of turn two.

Rosberg sustained damage to his front wing in the incident, allowing Hamilton to assume the lead and subsequent victory, while he could limp home only in fourth.

The collision between the championship protagonists enabled Red Bull's Max Verstappen to claim second with Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen taking the last spot on the podium.

Hamilton, who was behind Rosberg courtesy of a curious strategy by his Mercedes team, was closing in on his team-mate in the final stages of the race.

And, on the last lap, he sensed his opportunity on the long run down to turn two. As Hamilton took to the outside, and appeared to move ahead of Rosberg, the German appeared to lose control of his car under braking and slide into his championship rival.

Hamilton in action in Austria.

Getty Images

Hamilton was forced off the track, and re-joined temporarily behind Rosberg, but the force of the coming together - the third time the pair have collided this season - saw the German sustain damage to his front wing.

The live feed cut to a furious Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who thumped his fist on the table as he watched the incident unfold.

Rosberg, now just 11 points ahead of Hamilton in the championship, limped over the line in fourth place.

Wolff described the collision as "brainless".

"It could have been a double DNF," he told Sky Sports 1. "At the moment I do not know what I will say (to Hamilton and Rosberg)."

Wolff and Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda both said Rosberg had suffered a brake problem.

"It was not funny to watch it," said Lauda. "I know that Nico had a brake problem."

Result from the Formula One GP Austria at Red Bull Ring on Sunday

1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:27:38.107

2. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull - TAG Heuer +00:05.719

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 00:06.024

4. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 00:16.710

5. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 00:30.981