RACE START: Watch as Hamilton and Russell collide in eventful opening lap in Qatar

For the second evening in a row there was a dramatic start in Qatar as, while Max Verstappen kept a hold of the lead, Mercedes team mates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided in an incident that would bring out the Safety Car.

Verstappen made a good start to keep a hold of the lead but as they made their way down to Turn 1, Hamilton, on soft tyres, looked to go round the outside of Russell, on the mediums, with the two making contact.

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This sent Hamilton into the gravel, and out of the race, while Russell was able to continue on, although he was forced to pit and is now at the back of the field.

Taking advantage of the incident was Oscar Piastri, as last night’s Sprint winner made his way up from sixth to second, ahead of Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Esteban Ocon, and his McLaren team mate Lando Norris – who is up to sixth from 10th.

Click on the video player above to relive an action-packed start in Qatar and keep up with the rest of the evening's action on our live coverage here.