Max Verstappen has won a frenetic rain-hit German Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton crashed while on course for victory.

Hamilton appeared set to claim his eighth win of a dominant season before drama struck on lap 29 of 64 in a race which featured four safety car periods at the Hockenheimring on Sunday.

The British star, who had just stopped for dry rubber, ran off the road at a final corner, which had claimed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc one lap earlier.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo did not finish after his car experienced an exhaust problem.

Hamilton had to stop for a new front wing and was stationary for more than 50 seconds as his Mercedes crew dashed around for spare parts.

He finished 11th, having also been hit with a five-second penalty for entering the pits on the wrong side of the bollard, and spun in the final stages too on a day to forget for the world champion.

Verstappen, who stopped five times in the most topsy-turvy of races, took the chequered flag to claim his second win of the campaign.

The Dutchman finished ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who fought back from last, and Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat. Racing Point’s Lance Stroll finished fourth.

“It was about trying not to make mistakes,” said Verstappen.

“It feels amazing to win.

“You learn over the years. I was very happy with the whole performance.”

On a miserable day for Mercedes at their home race, Valtteri Bottas crashed out at the first corner with eight laps remaining, while in the hunt for the podium.

Bottas’ spin brought a furious reaction from Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal banging both his fists on the table.

Stroll took fourth ahead of McLaren’s Carlos Sainz with the London-born Alexander Albon a career-best sixth. Lando Norris failed to finish following a gearbox issue.