Max Verstappen won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix held in Silverstone this afternoon. The young Dutch driver was excellent, managing to beat the Mercedes’ duo, who’s been superb since the start of the season.
After 52 laps of excitement, drama, thrill, and fabulous diving, Verstappen finally recorded a triumph this year. Red Bull’s star has been very competitive over the last few races, indicating that he might break Mercedes’ winning streak pretty soon. And that happened today.
This was the first win for the Austrian team here in Britain since 2012 and Mark Webber’s victory. On the other hand, this was Max’s ninth career triumph.
A first win of 2020 for @Max33Verstappen ! 🏆#F170 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/PvFu3f4T5z
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 9, 2020
All those who watched had the opportunity to see the tire drama again, as Mercedes experienced constant problems with rare wheels. Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas visited their pit twice during the event. This time the tires didn’t blow up but there were some mechanical damages of the surface.
However, they would manage to reach the podium and bring more points to their manufacturer who is far ahead of the rest of the competition.
The two Silver Arrows started the race well with Bottas leading the way and Hamilton behind him. Still, both had to visit the pit before Verstappen, who stayed 10 laps longer, making a decent difference between him and the rivals which would allow him to come back right behind the Fin. Max jumped over Bottas shortly after, never looking back.
Hamilton would pass Bottas three laps before the end, setting the fastest lap of the race and clinching his 150th podium, which tied him with Michael Schumacher.
It could be said that Bottas finished this race as the ultimate loser, as he ended third despite having the pole position at the start.
DRIVER STANDINGS – AFTER ROUND FIVE 🏆
Race winner Verstappen jumps up to P2
Leclerc jumps up to P4#F170 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/7PRuD73l8N
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 9, 2020
As for Ferrari, the Prancing Horse recorded one more frustrating experience. Leclerc had a solid performance, and he managed to climb up the ladder, but only to reach the fourth place. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel was again disappointing, ending 12th.
We might see radical changes in their garage pretty soon, which would include Vettel leaving the team earlier than planned.
Alex Albon finished fifth, Lance Stroll sixth, while Nico Hulkenberg took place no seven. Ocon, Norris, and Kvyat were behind them.
Hamilton leads the drivers’ standings with 88 points, 30 more than Bottas, Verstappen is third with 52. In the constructors’ race, Mercedes has 146 points, Red Bull 78 and McLaren 51.