Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have crashed out of the Spanish Grand Prix after colliding on the first lap.

Both Mercedes ended up in a gravel bed with the drivers climbing out uninjured as the safety car was deployed.

Australian Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo found himself in first place behind a safety car as the dust settled following the crash.

Formula One world champion Hamilton started on pole but was overtaken on the outside by Rosberg. In attempting to regain the lead Hamilton was forced onto a grass verge and lost control, spinning into Rosberg’s car.

Rosberg had won the first four races of the season and seven in a row including the last three grands prix of 2015.