Nico Rosberg wins Monaco Grand Prix after competitors’ big crash

A spectacular crash at the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday left two drivers on the sidelines and, ultimately, helped decide the winner of the race.

During the closing laps, 17-year-old wunderkind Max Verstappen rammed his Toro Rosso into the back of Romain Grosjean's Lotus heading into the first corner at Sainte Devote. Verstappen's left front wheel came loose after making contact with the right rear wheel of Grosjean's car. Unable to stop, Verstappen crashed heavily into the tire wall lining the outside of the corner.

Both drivers told their respective teams they were fine after the accident, which brought out the safety car. It appeared Grosjean moved to protect the inside line going into the corner to prevent Verstappen from passing him as they approached the breaking point. Verstappen couldn't react quickly enough, and the rookie plowed into the back of the Lotus.

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton was leading ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel when a full-course caution was called to remove Verstappen and Grosjean's cars. Hamilton made a pit stop for fresh tires, but he emerged out of the pits in third place behind Rosberg and Vettel.

Unable to pose a serious threat to Rosberg and Vettel in the closing laps on the notoriously tight and twisty Monte Carlo circuit, Hamilton settled for third. Rosberg went on to win on the streets of the principality for the third consecutive year.

“I can't really express the way I feel at the moment, so I won't even attempt to,” Hamilton told reporters after the race. “I thought Nico had pitted, so I thought the guys behind were pitting. I came in with full confidence that the others had done the same.”

Rosberg admitted Hamilton was faster than him and was modest about the win.

“I know that I got lucky today, so I'll just enjoy the moment now,” Rosberg said. “But I need to work hard because Lewis was a bit stronger today.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.