Max Verstappen storms to victory, ends Mercedes’ winning streak

Max Verstappen sprung what may very well be the shock of the season by beating Lewis Hamilton to win the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull driver crossed the road at Silverstone 11.three seconds away from Hamilton, with Valtteri Bottas third.

Mercedes had been anticipated to cruise to their fifth win from as many rounds this season. But each Hamilton and Bottas struggled with their tires to clear the best way for Verstappen to take an unlikely win. Charles Leclerc completed fourth for Ferrari forward of Red Bull’s Alexander Albon. Racing Point’s Lance Stroll was sixth.

Hamilton will head to subsequent week’s Spanish Grand Prix with a 30-point championship lead over Verstappen. Hamilton’s Mercedes staff has been the category act of the sphere this yr and, after pole-sitter Bottas beat Hamilton to the primary nook, it seemed as if it might be a straight battle between the all-black vehicles for victory.

But Verstappen, who moved forward of Racing Point’s Nico Hulkenberg on the opening bend, remained scorching on their heels. Both Mercedes vehicles began on the medium tires, with Verstappen on the extra sturdy onerous tire. Verstappen sensed that the Mercedes vehicles have been struggling and was quickly looking down Hamilton. At one stage, he was informed to drop off Hamilton’s gearbox to guard his tires.

“This is the only chance to beat Mercedes,” he mentioned over the radio. “I am not going to sit back like a grandma.”

And he remained aggressive. Bottas pitted from the lead on lap 13 with Hamilton following in for recent tires on the next lap. Verstappen took the lead and, when he got here in for brand spanking new tires on the halfway stage of the race, he left the pits simply behind Bottas.

Verstappen took solely a handful of corners to regain high spot after he resisted Bottas’ tame protection. Both Verstappen and Bottas got here in with 20 laps remaining for a second time, whereas Hamilton remained out on carrying tires till lap 41 of 52.

Hamilton emerged down in fourth however the 35-year-old confirmed good tempo on the recent tires, posting the quickest lap of the race earlier than overtaking Leclerc at Stowe for third. He then set his sights on looking down Bottas and, with two laps to run, he handed his teammate across the exterior of Brooklands.

After Verstappen cruised to victory, Nico Hulkenberg completed seventh, whereas Sebastian Vettel was exterior the factors in 12th following an opening-lap spin.