Hamilton's record victory, Kvyat's two points and Vettel's accident: the results of the British Grand Prix in Formula 1

First day

"Formula 1" moved to the track at Silverstone, where one of the two oldest stages of the "royal races" - the British Grand Prix. For the first time she entered the calendar back in 1950, and this season takes place in the jubilee 70th time.

For most teams, this stage is actually home - even those who are not flying the British flag prefer to be based near Silverstone.

For season leader Lewis Hamilton, he is one without reservation. But, what is interesting, although the UK has a glorious tradition in motor racing, the sole leadership on victories on this route did not belong to local racers. Hamilton, Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost celebrated their success five times here. A year ago, a Mercedes pilot tried to break out of this trio, but did not succeed - Sebastian Vettel won.

From the first races of the 70th British Grand Prix, it became clear that Hamilton would not easily win the sixth victory at the home Grand Prix. The pilots had to learn again on the new asphalt at Silverstone, and not everyone succeeded in the first session of the free races. For example, twice in an hour and a half, Romain Grosjean from Haas, whose team lost the title sponsor during the week, but immediately got it back.

🙈 @ RGrosjean # BritishGP # F1pic.twitter.com / TN0w9N1hqH

Hamilton in the first session fell behind for a second from Pierre Gasli of Red Bull, to whom the track profile traditionally favors, and missed even Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen. Competition from the Ferrari was not - Charles Leclaire and Sebastian Vettel were inferior to Mercedes.

In the evening, the track acquired a clutch, but the wind often prevented pilots from carrying out the necessary tests. Many, including Hamilton, continued to be put on the sidelines. With Bottas there was a more serious problem - because of problems with ignition, he did not train long series of circles. Nevertheless, on Friday evening, both Mercedes were at the top of the protocol, and the Finnish pilot was ahead of his partner by 0.069 seconds.

Second day

Saturday was very different from the previous day. Rain is a full member of the British Grand Prix, and on the second day it made itself felt. Although there was no serious precipitation during training, it still had to be reduced by half an hour.

The remaining time was enough for the favorites to show very fast seconds, and Charl Lecler - to get very close to the track record. Together with Vettel he occupied the preliminary first row of the starting field before the start of the qualification. However, the backlog of Hamilton, who took third place, was even less significant than the day before.

Daniil Kvyat almost became the anti-hero of the third free-race session. At one point, he did not notice Bottas next to him and almost sent him to the security barrier. Fortunately, the contact and the accident did not happen. Both pilots were able to calmly perform in the qualification. True, the rider Toro Rosso could not help but worry that his car in the UK could not boast of high speed at all. It was possible not to dream of a high starting position.

It is a bit close down at Woodcote during FP3 British # BritishGP # F1pic.twitter.com / 5JHsVvCTpu

True, Kvyat still taught that he is able to fight for access to the second segment of qualification, but this time he did not go far from the pilots of Williams. An error in the second attempt did not allow him to improve his time, with which he took only 17th place.

In the fight for the leading position of the Mercedes continued to argue with Ferrari. Bottas and Hamilton initially showed the best seconds, but only because Vettel and Leclaire used slow tires. In the second part of the qualification, the pilot from Monaco intercepted the lead, and the Italian stable had a real chance to win the pole position for the fourth time.

But the final attempt remained for Mercedes. Bottas immediately broke the track record and headed the protocol. Hamilton could not answer because of an error, but the net in the second wave was worse for an insignificant six thousandths of a second. The German team occupied the entire first row of the grid. Behind her, it would be logical to see in full Ferrari, but Vettel spent two unsuccessful attempts. Last year's winner received the sixth position at the start behind Verstappen and Extinguished.

How close? 🤔

This close! 😵 # BritishGP 🇬🇧 # F1pic.twitter.com / ozgSBx4xVm

Race

For the first time in a long time, the starting field lined up completely according to the results of the qualification - no one had to serve fines or start from the pit lane. Therefore, the beginning of the race was almost calm, and everyone remained in the places that they deserved. Is that Vettel in the course of the first round could pass Extinguished and rise to the fifth position, and Kevin Magnussen touched Grosjean, and both had to immediately go to the pit stop.

But when the pilots were allowed to use the DRS zone to accelerate before overtaking, two Mercedes managed to revive the race. Hamilton did not let Bottas away and began to put pressure on the opponent. The Briton has achieved his, but then his partner on braking had a successful counterattack. Bottas soon increased the gap to one and a half seconds, but their argument was clearly not over.

LAP 4/52: Brilliant stuff from the Mercedes drivers

Luffield and Copse #BritishGP F1 # F1pic.twitter.com/qe9WDSDBFz

After a few laps began the first series of pit stops - tire manufacturers announced at least two stops. Directly in front of her, Vettel went out, but left to change the tires to Hard. Next to the mechanics drove Verstappen and Leclaire. The contenders on the podium were on the pit lane at the same time, and the Red Bull pilot was the first to leave, but Ferrari immediately took revenge. Both riders drove perfectly on the highway, and their disassembly also did not end there.

LAP 14/52: Drama

Lead to the man in the door! #BritishGP F1 # F1pic.twitter.com / 7Ii1UG13mN

Soon Bottas drove into the pits, Hamilton waited until the last moment for the right moment - and waited. Antonio Giovinazzi fell into a gravel trap, and the race leaders rushed for new tires. Together with Hamilton, who missed only a pace car, Vettel stopped at the pit stop and Verstappen again - he still needed to change the set to a more rigid one by the rules. When it seemed that all the favorites did their job, Lecler turned off the track. Ferrari pilot later called, and he was behind both cars Red Bull. But on the third place rose Vettel.

The restart of the race was more exciting than its start. The fight resumed at once on several sections of the route, especially between the two Red Bull. Extinguished a slight breakdown, and Verstappen came in fourth, chasing Vettel. The Frenchman stayed on the track, and in the second hour of the race Lecler walked around him, not showing a good pace.

LAP 35/52:

P3: VET
P4: VER

P5: GAS
P6: LEC #BritishGP 🇬🇧 # F1pic.twitter.com / Tt3Kv9MIFE

And only overtaking took place, as there was a key episode of the race. Verstappen went on the attack on Vettel and also went forward, but the German immediately rudely pushed the opponent back and provoked an accident. The pilot of Red Bull missed the two pursuers ahead, and Vettel with a damaged wing rolled into the tail of the peloton. German dropped from the podium and a competitor, and himself.

Incredible scenes here at Silverstone!

Stewards are # BritishGP F1 # F1pic.twitter.com / awraiuT6se

The failure of the leader of the Ferrari raised all the pursuers in one position, and Quatt took the best advantage of it. After the restart, during which he received the necessary tires, the Russian was driving in 15th place, but he was able to slip forward and play a few positions. In the end, he was on the verge of the spectacle zone and penetrated into it, beating Nico Hulkenberg.

At this Kvyat did not stop - in front of him was a partner Alexander Albon, who barely kept pace on worn tires. Pilots Toro Rosso swapped places, and the Russians could even hope to overtake Kimi Raikkonen, but this did not have enough distance. Kvyat did not catch a crane in the sky and was content with two points.

Checkered Flag! 🏁

P17 ▶ ️ P9 for @kvyatofficial ale @alex_albon ended up P12 after losing grip on his tires pic.twitter.com/LlmbjERwqh

Meanwhile, in the last few laps, the struggle for victory in the race unfolded. Bottas was driving close behind Hamilton, but he had to make a mandatory pit stop and get softer tires. Mercedes called in the pits and the leader of the race, but the mechanics immediately thought better of it - Hamilton and so kept the margin of safety to the finish, and in the case of a stop could miss the first place.

Bottas hoped to get a point for the fastest lap as compensation, but Hamilton on Hard tires at the last moment took his partner away. The sixth victory of the pilot in his native Grand Prix brought him the maximum possible points and increased the gap in the championship.

BREAKING: @LewisHamilton wins a record 6th British Grand Prix !! 🏁🙌 # BritishGP 🇬🇧 # F1pic.twitter.com / aamLgyp2yc