Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came from fourth on the grid at Silverstone to win the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix and take his ninth career victory.
Though the Mercedes struggled to catch up to the Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton managed second which means he equals Michael Schumacher’s record off 155 podium finishes. Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas finished in third position.
Mercedes got away well and led for a while before the blistering began to set in and forced them to pit, allowing Verstappen to get in front and command the race.
Verstappen was told early on to pull back to save the tyres but the Dutchman didn’t take kindly to the orders from his team and pushed to catch the Mercedes – a moment that would eventually lead to his victory. Before this race Mercedes had led all but one lap this season.
Sebastian Vettel once again struggled to get the most out of his Ferrari – spinning on the exit of turn one which ultimately led to him unable to push into the points paying positions, finishing 12th at the chequered flag.
In Scuderia’s garage Charles Leclerc managed his tyres and car well which has allowed him to out perform his car which has been seen over the course of this mixed up season. The young driver from Monaco took a very respectable fourth.
In other outstanding performances was the second Red Bull of Alex Albon who by finishing fifth proved he is good enough for that coveted second Red Bull seat.
Kevin Magnussen was the only retirement in the race, and Nico Hulkenberg didn’t manage to achieve that elusive first F1 podium after starting from third – ending up in seventh one place behind his teammate Lance Stroll.
This being the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix – here is a comparison between the first ever F1 race at Silverstone back in 1950 compared to now in 2020
1950 Top 5:
1. Nino Farina / Alfa Romeo
2. Luigi Fagioli / Alfa Romeo
3. Reg Parnell / Alfa Romeo
4. Yves Giraud Cabantous / Talbot – Lago
5. Louis Rosier / Talbot – Lago
2020 Top 5:
1. Max Verstappen / Red Bull
2. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes
3. Valtteri Bottas / Mercedes
4. Charles Leclerc / Ferrari
5. Alex Albon / Red Bull
The next race is the Spanish Grand Prix on August 7th.
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