Max Verstappen spices up a Formula 1 season largely dominated by Mercedes. Starting in second row, the Dutchman won his ninth career victory this Sunday, during the 70th anniversary Grand Prix which took place at Silverstone in Great Britain. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas complete the podium and leave the victory for the first time this season to another team. At Silverstone, the Briton didn’t have the luxury of leading the race from start to finish, and was even pushed into a duel against his Finnish teammate on the 50th lap.
Max Verstappen appeared completely relaxed, allowing himself a little discussion with his team on the last lap: “Did you hydrate yourself well during the race, did you put on hydroalcoholic gel? He inquired with irony.
For Mercedes, the fight was played against the Red Bull driver, but also against their tires, while the German engine manufacturer’s single-seater did not seem to have any flaws since the start of the season. Mercedes gums deteriorated quickly.
From the sixth lap, Valtteri Bottas worried about wear and tear on the radio. Last week, the two Mercedes drivers, as well as Carlos Sainz, suffered punctures at the end of the race. Lewis Hamilton had even won it on three wheels. Despite everything, the Briton remains largely at the top of the general classification of drivers. Max Verstappen steals second position from Valtteri Bottas.
Ocon, the only Frenchman in points
Despite a promising qualifying performance, and a seventh place on the grid, Pierre Gasly did not get into the points and finished 11th. The Normand also experienced setbacks in terms of his tires, which blistered from the middle of the race, despite hard tires on the eighth lap. Renault driver Esteban Ocon climbed to 8th place. For his part, Romain Grosjean finished the race in 16th position.
This Grand Prix was also an opportunity for Nico Hulkenberg to clinch the first podium of his career after 178 races in Formula 1. Despite a third place in qualifying, the German had to be content with a 7th place. He will certainly have to return his wheel to the official Racing Point driver, Sergio Perez, who is positive for Covid-19. The Mexican should return to the starting grid on August 16, during the Spanish Grand Prix.
