It’s not been a great morning for famous British marques at the British Grand Prix. Both McLarens and both Lotuses whacked into each other right on the first lap of the race. Oops!

Lotus drivers Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean retired immediately from their hard hit. Grosjean was trying to duel with a Red Bull but borked it, sending him into Maldonado.

Fernando Alonso also spun into his McLaren teammate Jenson Button in the melee. Alonso was trying to avoid the carnage and couldn’t avoid Button’s car. Button had to retire, but Alonso only needed a new front wing. Bizarrely, Button got the initial blame for the collision.

“Race control are saying Romain Grosjean and Jenson Button caused a collision but I fail to see how Fernando Alonso spinning into his team-mate is the responsibility of Jenson Button,” remarked BBC commentator David Coulthard.

Alonso blamed the Lotuses for being extraordinarily aggressive at the start after the race, causing him to spin in response. Button also admitted that Alonso was the prior piece in the chain reaction.

“Fernando Alonso’s front was coming around but I didn’t know he was spinning, he hit the rear tyre, the car jumped and came down aggressively and everything switched off,” said Button.

Either way, it’s not a good day to be driving a British marque at Silverstone.

Contact the author at .