Leclerc has big shunt in opening stages in Monza

MONZA, Italy -- Ferrari suffered a nightmare start to the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday after Charles Leclerc crashed out three laps after pushing teammate Lewis Hamilton off the track at the start.

Leclerc and Hamilton had looked well placed to attack from the second row of the grid but went into Turn 1 wheel to wheel.

Neither driver backed down, with Hamilton eventually being forced onto the gravel and dropping down the order.

Leclerc initially kept third position but on the third lap had lost a position to Red Bull's Max Verstappen through the Ascari chicane.

As his position came under threat through the Parabolica corner, Leclerc was off the racing line and lost the front end, spinning across the gravel and into the barrier.

The crash prompted the suspension of the race.

Leclerc walked away from the crash unhurt, but cameras soon showed him sitting trackside with his head between his knees.