These pictures show Jorge Lorenzo tangling with Nicky Hayden on the approach to turn one in Australia on Sunday, then suffering a high-speed accident which left his MotoGP title hopes all but over.

Starting fourth on the grid, Lorenzo was over taken by Ducati riders Hayden and Mika Kallio on either side as the lights went out, then misjudged the braking point for turn one and rammed into the back of the American.

Like Hayden, Lorenzo may have managed to stay upright had his front brake not been damaged during the impact, but instead he couldn't make the turn and was thrown from his Fiat Yamaha.

Lorenzo, who suffered light injuries to his nose and hand, later said the collision was “totally my fault” and apologised to Hayden, who finished 15th and last with a damaged bike.

Hayden said he “didn't blame Lorenzo” since the young Spaniard is “fighting for the championship, obviously didn't mean it and it's not his style.”

Starting the Australian Grand Prix 18 points behind team-mate and title leader Valentino Rossi, Lorenzo has now slipped 38 points behind the reigning six-time MotoGP champion - who can win the title in Malaysia this Sunday if he finishes with an advantage of over 25 points.

See below for a further pictures of the turn one Phillip Island accident...