Lewis Hamilton is now just one point behind Formula 1 championship leader Sebastian Vettel after he stormed to a dominant victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The Stevenage-born 32-year-old was untouchable in his Mercedes W08 at the front of the field, with chasing Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen falling back by more than 10secs for most of the race.
Raikkonen's teammate, Vettel, lost out to fast-charging Red Bull driver Max Verstappen at the start, essentially ending his chances of a challenge for the lead before the close of the first stint.
The German failed to pass 19-year-old Verstappen on track despite two almost successful attempts, but his team opted to bring him in for an early pit stop that eventually helped him claim third.
Silverstone bosses trigger break clause in British GP contract
While there was plenty of action further down the field, the front three looked to be set as the race entered its final stages. But then both Ferraris – Raikkonen first and then Vettel – suffered damage to their front left tyres.
Both were forced to pit for replacements, handing second place to Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, who himself had mounted a strong charge through the field from his starting position in ninth. Raikkonen hung onto third, with Vettel falling back to seventh.
The result leaves the championship battle wide open as it enters the second half of the season.
Formula E: New York GP, New York City
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Well done Lewis
Brilliant win. Phenomenal pole lap.
@racinggreen - the race was interesting cos of the drama at the end, otherwise Kimi would've got a deserved 2nd place. F1 is F1, watch World Superbikes if you want a change
What ...?, a race....?
Well, yes and no, the Redbulls performed well,the ferrari's befell the same Tyre problem (Pirelli.....finger points at you) and as per usual at Silverstone the winner was decided bar a mishap in the first five Laps.
Man with fastest car wins a
Joint second fatest car, best driver
Firstly Ferrari cars are the fatest, this is demostated by the way both of them went quicker than the Mercedes of Bottas in qualifying. Vettel needs to learn to give-up at times, if he hadn't raced Bottas in the final few laps he mightn't had popped his tryes with 2 laps to go.
xxxx wrote:
Ferrari are the fastest? Yet you conveniently leave out Hamilton who was quicker than anyone else? And do you really think Vettel is just going to hand over his position to Bottas? It's not in his nature as he is so fiercely competitive, which is a good thing. Are you a Hamilton hater which is another reason for you and I to disagree about something? I fear you are...
Calm down
Hamilton Hater, are you mad. My post was in defence.. Thiink about someone says he was in the fatest car so I said that would mean Bottas would be his equal and quicker than the Ferrari's.
I fear your prejuiced against me is afecting your state of mind, go and stalk someone else please.