George Russell, the Mercedes driver and one of the contenders for the Formula 1 World Championship title, retired from the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday after his car veered into the gravel area on the opening lap following a collision with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton.

Russell started from third on the grid but dropped to sixth after losing several positions on the straight.

In an attempt to fight back, the Briton ran side by side with his former teammate Hamilton, and contact occurred between them.

Russell's car became stuck in the gravel, and he got out and walked away while Hamilton, the seven-time champion, continued the race as the safety car came out. Race stewards began investigating the incident.

Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader who holds a 25-point advantage over his Mercedes teammate and his nearest rival after nine rounds, started from pole and led the race from the start.