OMNISPORT

Fernando Alonso somehow managed to get his McLaren to the pits after contact on the first lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix left him with two punctures.

The two-time world champion collided with Sergey Sorotkin on the run down to the third corner in an action-packed start in Baku, the Williams driver forced to retire as a result. Kimi Raikkonen and Esteban Ocon also came together, leaving debris strewn across the track and resulting in the deployment of the safety car.

Alonso's front and rear right tires were all but gone, but he still managed to guide his car back to the pits for the necessary work to keep his race alive.

The Spaniard was later told over team radio that some damage to the floor of his car had been detected.

"Unbelievable. You take care in corner one and corner two and they crash into you. F****** stupid," Alonso replied.