Lewis Hamilton wins crazy Tuscan Grand Prix after three crashes see race stopped TWICE and just 12 cars finish

LEWIS HAMILTON kept a cool head while others lost theirs to win a frantic Tuscan Grand Prix.

The Brit overcame losing his lead into turn one, seeing two crashes in seven laps, two red flags and a safety car in the madness at Mugello.

Lewis Hamilton won a mad Tuscan Grand Prix at MugelloCredit: AFP

There were two crashes inside the first seven laps which forced a red flagCredit: AFP

Reigning world champion Hamilton held off team-mate Valtteri Bottas on a red hot afternoon in Florence to steal another march in the title race.

Bottas got the jump off Hamilton off the line using the tow into turn one to his advantage, but the Brit repaid the favour later.

Alex Albon finished third with Daniel Ricciardo fourth as only 12 cars completed the 59-lap race.

There was early chaos at Mugello with TWO crashes inside seven laps that saw a safety car and a red flag.

Max Verstappen had a problem on the grid that his mechanics thought they’d fixed.

But the Dutchman had no power off the line and was involved in the first shunt on the opening lap as his race came to a close.

Valtteri Bottas jumped Lewis Hamilton into turn oneCredit: Associated Press

Max Verstappen spun off into the gravel and his race was overCredit: Getty Images

Pierre Gasly also crashed out after his heroics to win at Monza last weekend.

And as the safety car came in and the cars restarted, there was a massive smash down the pack which resulted in the race being suspended.

Carlos Sainz, Kevin Magnussen, Esteban Ocon, Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Giovinazzi all perished in a nasty collision on the pit straight in the seconds after the race resumed.

When the racing got going again off the grid, Hamilton used the slipstream to his advantage this time to leapfrog Bottas to take the lead.

Bottas tried all he could to catch team-mate Hamilton, including demanding different tyres and strategy to his teammate.

But the Brit pitted after Bottas and copied his team-mates selection to cover off any move.

Pierre Gasly had no such luck this week after his win at Monza last time outCredit: Getty Images

Marshals recover cars after early chaos in ItalyCredit: Associated Press

Lewis Hamilton jumped his team-mate at the second restartCredit: Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton held off Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes cruised clearCredit: AP:Associated Press

There was more drama late on when Lance Stroll spun off in his Racing Point in a scary 180mph crash that forced another red flag.

And from the resulting restart, Hamilton streaked clear of Bottas and cruised to his sixth win of the season.

Ricciardo got a flying start off the grid to move into second, but dropped back down to fourth after being passed by Bottas and Albon.

Hamilton, who wore a shirt before the race to honour Breonna Taylor who was killed by police in Kentucky in March, extended his championship lead even further.

There was also a special moment at Mugello as Mick Schumacher drove his father’s 2004 world championship-winning Ferrari to mark the team’s 1000th race in F1.

Unfortunately for Ferrari their drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel finished 8th and 10th respectively.

The motorsport roadshow moves to Russia in two weeks after passing the halfway point in a truncated 2020 season.

Fans were in the stands for the first time in 2020Credit: Associated Press

Fighter jets flyby before the race in ItalyCredit: Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton wore a different shirt for the anti-racism message to honour Breonna TaylorCredit: Getty Images

F1 drivers gather for the Italian national anthem after a the anti-racism messageCredit: Getty Images

Mick Schumacher drove his dad’s 2004 world championship-winning Ferrari before the race to mark the team’s 1000th in F1Credit: Getty Images

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk