Lewis Hamilton has won the British Grand Prix for the eighth time, following a collision on the first lap that took out arch rival Max Verstappen

Verstappen slammed Hamilton as “disrespectful” and “unsportsmanlike” following their collision in the race.

The Red Bull driver was taken to hospital after suffering an impact in the first-lap crash.

Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty for the incident, which dropped him to fourth place after his pit stop, but he fought back to win the race.

He says it was unintentional but Red Bull boss Christian Horner lashed out at the Brit after the race, saying Verstappen’s crash into the wall was the equivalent force of 51G.

“He was very respectful on leaving a gap. I got somewhere alongside him. He knew I was there but he stayed committed and did a wider line and he nearly kept it,” Hamilton said.

“I backed out at one point just to make sure that we didn’t come together but I think it was just a really nice balance and I think that’s really how the racing should go.

“In a perfect world, that’s what would have happened in the first attempt. But different time, different place, different driver,

Everyone will have their own opinion of the incident, but among the many consequences is that the championship battle, from looking like Verstappen was beginning to run away with it, is now close again. Verstappen remains favourite, but his lead is down to eight points.”

“It’s been such a hard year,” Hamilton said. “One I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve loved this battle but it is an emotional rollercoaster, as it always is within a championship.

Verstappen then took the war of words nuclear when he blasted Hamilton in an Instagram post after watching his rival celebrate his win on the podium during trophy presentations.