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| Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – July 18, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the race REUTERS/Peter Cziborra |
Lewis Hamilton won his home British Grand Prix for a record-extending eighth time on Sunday despite a 10-second penalty for a controversial first lap collision that sent Red Bull rival Max Verstappen crashing out of the race.
The Mercedes driver, now only eight points behind Verstappen after 10 races, passed Ferrariโs Charles Leclerc for the lead with two laps to go as a capacity 140,000 crowd rose to cheer him.
Hamiltonโs team mate Valtteri Bottas was third after obeying team orders to let Hamilton through and chase Leclerc in a race halted after Verstappenโs crash and then re-started.
The win was the 99th of seven-times world champion Hamiltonโs Formula One career and fourth of the current campaign.
It was also the worst possible result for Verstappen, who had started on pole position with a 33 point lead and seeking a fourth win in a row but who ended up empty-handed and in hospital for checks.
โThis is a dream for me today, to do it in front of you all,โ Hamilton told the biggest crowd to attend a sporting event in Britain since the start of the pandemic. Last yearโs race was held without spectators.
โI always try to be measured in how I approach, particularly with battling with Max, heโs very aggressive. And then today I was fully alongside him and he didnโt leave space.
โRegardless of whether I agree with the penalty, I take it on the chin and I just kept working.
โI was like โIโm not going to let anything get in the way of the crowdโs enjoyment of the weekend and the national anthem and the British flagโ.โ
Leclerc also kept his head up after missing out on what would have been Ferrariโs first win since 2019.
โI gave not 100% but I gave 200%. I gave all of me but it was just not enough in the last two laps,โ said the Monegasque.
โCongratulations to Lewis, he did an incredible job. Itโs amazing to see so many fans in the grandstand.โ
There was no point awarded for fastest lap, with Red Bullโs Mexican Sergio Perez setting it but failing to secure the necessary top 10 finish to trigger the bonus.
REUTERS
