7 things you (might have) missed FROM THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX
A DOMINANT lEWIS hAMILTON WAS NEVER CHALLENGED ON HIS WAY TO BRITISH GRAND PRIX VICTORY NUMBER FIVE.
With Lewis Hamilton unchallenged out front all afternoon this wasn’t the most eventful race when it came to battles for the lead, but the British Grand Prix did provide plenty of late drama as both Ferraris suffered costly punctures.
Hamilton’s fourth successive win at Silverstone, combined with a season-low P7 for Sebastian Vettel, cuts the deficit at the top of the world championship to just one point. A similar problem for Kimi Raikkonen dropped the Finn to third, allowing fellow countryman Valtteri Bottas to complete a Mercedes one-two.
Here are a few things you may (or may not) have missed from Silverstone 2017.
vettel vs. VERSTAPPEN is alive and well
Vettel spent much of the race’s first stint battling his dear friend Max Verstappen. As is standard when these two get together, it was a no-holds-barred scrap that had both drivers crying foul over the radio.
Though fairly short lived, it was probably the highlight of the race in terms of on-track skirmishes.
And it was good to see these two getting their elbows out again. Seb’s stellar run in 2017 combined with Max’s run of DNFs has robbed us of the Vettel-Verstappen tear-up, but Silverstone offered a reminder of how much we enjoy this head-to-head.
Dare we dream of one day seeing them as teammates?
2. LEWIS FURTHER CEMENTS HIS LEGEND STATUS
Love him or loathe him, at this point you'd require a very selective approach to facts to deny that Lewis Hamilton is an all-time great.
Today's win means he's tied as the most successful driver in British Grand Prix history and equalled no less than Jim Clark's record of four successive wins at the race.
He's now within just one point of Vettel atop the world championship too and a fourth title is very much up for grabs. Hamilton fan or not, you have to take your hat off to those stats.
3. WILD CONSPIRACY THEORIES, ANYONE?
Lewis was always going to be thrilled to take victory, but Ferrari’s late tyre woes turned this into a dream scenario for Mercedes.
Two shredded front-lefts for the red cars handed the Silver Arrows a one-two and cost Vettel a big chunk of points. Toto couldn’t have dreamed of more.
In fact, it almost seemed too perfect…
Okay, that’s a bit much.
4. GET WELL SOON, MARTIN BRUNDLE
Anyone watching the race on Sky Sports F1 will not have missed the fact that regular commentator Martin Brundle was absent today.
Brundle was taken ill shortly before he was meant to begin his customary grid walk. He was celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first pre-race interview fest and Ross Brawn was even ready to present Martin with a memento.
Brundle has missed only a handful of grands prix in his 20 years commentating on the sport. He was later reported to be suffering from a stomach virsus, so here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.
5. YET MORE WOe FOR PALMER
You might well have missed Jolyon Palmer’s participation in this race. In fact, the Brit did not officially take part in his home grand prix.
Palmer just cannot catch a break this season. Having finished 11th in three of the past four races, he took the same position in qualifying at Silverstone. His first points of the season looked within grasp.
But the Renault couldn’t even complete the formation lap, grinding to a halt on the Hanger Straight with hydraulic problems.
Chin up, Jolyon. At least there’s not a former grand prix winner looking to pinch your job before the season’s out.
6. KVYAT IS STILL ON THE RAMPAGE
It's all gone a bit Pastor Maldonado for Daniil Kvyat lately. After torpedoing Fernando Alonso out of last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, the Russian went one step further at Silverstone by wiping his own teammate out on lap one.
Kvyat protested his innocence, but the onboard footage shows that he got loose and drifted into Carlos Sainz. Just as in Austria, Kvyat survived while his victim was eliminated from the race.
Rumours had suggested that Kvyat is set for a contract extension at Toro Rosso, but recent showings suggest he should be looking over his shoulder – and at his braking points, too.
7. Crowd-surfing is a time consuming activity
Don't worry, lads, he's bound to tire himself out soon enough
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Comments (19)
kvyat has no place in F1
I agree 👍
You can probably add Palmer & Sauber to that list as well. But at least while Sauber is around Palmer won't finish last, if he finishes.
Hamilton may be a great driver but he is turning into a complete a**hole too.
that why he been so successful.
Turning?
Shouldn't that read 'Woe' for Palmer ?
and 'braking' points for Kvyat. Recent unedited 'journalism' coming from Drive Tribe is more like Dribble Tribe.
If you going to "nit- pick" about spelling (is mine also bad ,here), and it's going to upset you.....For goodness sake DON'T read the stuff ...as simple as that ! !
What I didn't miss was Bumble Brundle and his patronising, self aggrandizing commentary and gridwalk. How anyone can describe him as the modern Murray Walker beats me. Next needed is indigestion for Softie Croftie, so he can go away too. How I wish we got BBC Channel 4's Broadcast with David Courthald instead of the inane Brundle/Croft British biased murmerings.
What I do now is have a nice day out on Sundays.if anybody else other than hamilton wins I will watch.if the ar#%e wins I won't watch it
The trouble with the (il)logic is that you have to watch it to find out if he won
Er? Catchup?