ISTANBUL: Australian Webber, who started on pole, and Germany's Vettel collided with 18 laps remaining while running first and second.

Vettel, who had tried to pass Webber on the inside heading into turn 12, spun and retired on the spot with a punctured rear tyre.

Championship leader Webber, who had led from pole position, went off the track briefly and dropped to third place behind the McLaren pairing of 2008 and 2009 world champions Hamilton and Button.

Vettel twirled his finger around his head as he trudged away from the car as if to say 'crazy' while team boss Christian Horner watched from the pit lane wall and shook his head in disbelief.

Red Bull's designer and technical head Adrian Newey simply put his head in his hands.

Webber had won the last two races in Spain and Monaco but had to settle for third place, although his podium finished put him out in front of his rivals at the top of the drivers championship.

He said: "Seb had top-speed advantage.

"He then went down the inside, we were side by side, it looked like he turned quick right and we made contact.

"It's a shame for the team and not an ideal day. It can happen sometimes and when you are at the front it's difficult.

"There was a long way to go into the race, so it wasn't a guaranteed victory, but it was an interesting few metres on the track between us."

Hamilton dedicated his victory to his father, who is celebrating his 50th birthday. He said: "It was quite an exciting race actually.

"I don't know what happened to these guys (Red Bull), but we got through and then I had a great battle with Jenson.

Button added: "It was good fun, but then after Lewis got past I was into fuel save mode as well.

"The race was a lot quicker than we thought it would be, but three weeks ago who would have though we would battle with the Red Bulls like we have."

Turkish Grand Prix result (58 Laps):

1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren 1hr 28mins 47.620secs

2 Jenson Button (Gbr) McLaren 1:28:50.265

3 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:29:11.905

4 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes GP 1:29:18.730

5 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes GP 1:29:19.886

6 Robert Kubica (Pol) Renault 1:29:20.444

7 Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:29:24.255

8 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:29:34.164

9 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India 1:29:36.649

10 Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) BMW Sauber 1:29:53.270

11 Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) BMW Sauber 1:29:53.564

12 Jaime Alguersuari (Spa) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29:55.420

13 Vitantonio Liuzzi Ita Force India at 1 lap

14 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Williams at 1 lap

15 Vitaly Petrov (Rus) Renault at 1 lap

16 Sebastien Buemi (Swi) Scuderia Toro Rosso at 1 lap

17 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Williams at 1 lap

18 Timo Glock (Ger) Virgin Racing at 3 laps

19 Lucas di Grassi (Bra) Virgin Racing at 3 laps