Hamilton equals Schumacher's record, podium for Renault and Ricciardo

Lewis Hamilton joined Michael Schumacher on the roof of the world. On a track where the Red Baron won 5 times during his illustrious career, the Briton won his 91st Grand Prix victory, a record equaled by Kaïser, at the end of a race marked by numerous retirements, including that of his teammate Valtteri Bottas, started in pole position. 

When the lights went out, Hamilton was slightly quicker than the Finn whom he attacked on the inside at the first corner. The six-time world champion tried to suppress Bottas on the outside but the pole-sitter resisted and retained control of the race. The Finn even sets a strong pace to quickly widen the gap and relegate the second W11 out of its DRS zone. 

However, on the 13th lap, the leader locked his wheels at turn 1 and left the track. Hamilton then jumped like a wild animal and, despite a movement of resistance from Bottas, took control of the Grand Prix. 

The Finn went to the pits on the next lap to change his damaged soft tires. Two loops later, a clash between Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo) and George Russell causes the pilot to retire Williams and the triggering of a Virtual Safety Car period.

Hamilton and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) behind him immediately rush into the pit lane, just like Daniel Ricciardo A bit far. The restless pilot Renault had already gotten rid of Charles Leclerc at the cost of a nice excess. 

If the VSC benefits the two leaders, who come out in the same order. the Australian fell to 9th place. On the 18th lap, Bottas complained of a problem with his engine; the Finn must abandon 2 loops later, Mercedes suspecting an MGU-H failure. It's a hard blow for Bottas in the Drivers' Championship, especially since the Finn was on a positive dynamic after his victory in Russia and his pole position the day before. 

With the track clear in front of him, Hamilton can complete his race without being worried by Verstappen's Red Bull. He will write his name in golden letters in the great book of the F1. While waiting for a 7th world title which is reaching out to him more and more.

The hero of the day just had to negotiate a neutralization 15 laps from the finish, the Safety Car intervening following an engine problem for Lando Norris on his McLaren. Hamilton, however, leaves Verstappen no chance at the restart.  

Alongside them on the podium, we find a Renault driver for the first time since the return of Losange as a factory team in 1. Ricciardo, who had not been in the box since his Monaco victory in 2016, will certainly have benefited a boost with Bottas' concern then a Safety Car which offered him a "free" tire change, but he was clearly the best of the others behind the usual untouchable trio. And he had to resist the attacks of Pérez during the last 2018 laps, the Mexican showing himself to be particularly pressing.

Carlos Sainz limits the damage at McLaren by taking 5th place, while Pierre Gasly signs a new performance of choice with the 6th rank. The pilot Alpha Tauri ahead of his friend Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who must repel the attacks of the ghost Nico Hulkenberg (RacingPoint). 

Romain Grosjean is one of the rare drivers to make only one stop and manages to hoist his Haas in 9th place to grab their first 2 points of the year. 

Antonio Giovinazzi completes the Top 10 for Alfa Romeo at the end of a race marked by 5 retirements. However, it is not these adventures that we will remember in history but rather the 91st success of a certain Lewis Hamilton. And the first podium for a Renault driver since Robert Kubica at the 2010 Belgian Grand Prix.

Your full classification after a memorable race at the 'ring!

NINE teams score points! Including the first of the season for Grosjean and Giovinazzi #EifelGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/9Ajcuwx9K4

- Formula 1 (@ F1) October 11, 2020