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Hamilton strong at Silverstone, Verstappen down

Lewis Hamilton won the 2021 British Grand Prix by a landslide marked by a collision in the first lap with his rival Max Verstappen and a long-term duel with Charles Leclerc.

Published on 18/07/2021 à 18:05

Medhi Casaurang

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Hamilton strong at Silverstone, Verstappen down

In hindsight, it was bound to happen one day or another. Engaged in a relentless fight since last March for the supremacy of the Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) ended up harpooning each other on the first lap of the 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

 

The Englishman, on his territory, attempted an offensive maneuver at the start of the fast Copse corner, before touching his rival's right rear wheel. The Dutchman then violently crashed into the scene, but was able to extract himself from the carcass under his own power despite an impact estimated at 51 G, before being taken to the circuit's medical center as a precaution.

Verstappen on the mat, the Race Direction decided to wave the red flag in order to clear the car and put the tire wall back in place. A half-hour break which allowed the peloton to reduce tension in the pit lane.

In the confusion following the collision, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) took the opportunity to overtake Lewis Hamilton and take the lead before the race was stopped. The Monegasque thus had the task of opening hostilities when the 19 survivors were released, during a standing start procedure.

 

Half an hour later, it's Lando Norris (McLaren) who distinguished himself by stealing third place from Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) as soon as the lights go out. Charles Leclerc kept the lead and opened up a substantial gap on Lewis Hamilton. The latter received bad news by radio: a 10-second penalty following an investigation by the stewards concerning the accident at the start.

Equipped with an anniversary helmet to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Scuderia's first success in the discipline (already at Silverstone with José Froilan Gonzalez in 1951), Charles Leclerc had other fish to fry, like engine shutdowns! His transalpine engineer reassured him after a moment of hesitation; yes, the wearer of No. 16 would be able to return to normal.

Coming back in his wake, Lewis Hamilton again dropped ballast on the Monegasque, before changing tires. For its part, the leading Ferrari remained first even after its pit stop. The second phase of the duel would increase in intensity, until the last 10 laps.

Returning to the track at the foot of the podium, Lewis Hamilton made short work of Lando Norris, then easily overtook his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who parked to follow a team instruction.

With boots of seven leagues, the public favorite took back a second per lap on a very helpless Charles Leclerc at the end of the race. Unstoppable result, two laps from the end, the Mercedes moved into first position, thanks to an offensive maneuver at Copse (again) and especially a too wide trajectory from its rival.

 

 

McLaren reassures itself with a group shot in fourth and fifth thanks to Lando Norris and a Daniel Ricciardo in much better shape compared to his Austrian air hole. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari, 6th) was not helped by his team, which missed its tire change.

On the French side, Esteban Ocon (Alpine) suffered the domination of his illustrious teammate Fernando Alonso (7th) and finished ninth. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) suffered a puncture but was never in the running to hope for better than his 11th place.

Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) distinguished himself by a spin, as in the Ferrari era (abandonment), while Sergio Pérez did not push the envelope until the finish after a more laborious comeback than expected from the pit lane (abandonment).

Thanks to this success, Lewis Hamilton is 8 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers' standings. 

Find in issue 2321 of AUTOhebdo, on sale Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands, the analysis of F1 at Silverstone by our special correspondent.

Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

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