CHAOS in the British Grand Prix: Three drivers are forced to retire in opening laps and safety car is deployed after crash in treacherous Silverstone conditions

Chaos unfolded in the opening few laps of the British Grand Prix after three drivers were forced to retire and the safety car was deployed.

Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto were all forced out of the rain-sodden race at Silverstone and more downpours are expected.

The black clouds rolled over the circuit for the start of the showpiece and Racing Bulls driver Lawson was the first to limp back to the garage on the opening lap, having collided with Esteban Ocon and been squeezed by Yuki Tsunoda.

Colapinto, who started in the pit lane, stalled out on track and was summoned back to the pits, while Bortoleto's day was brought to an early end after his lime green Sauber veered off on his slick tyres and skidded onto the gravel. 

More to follow.