Hamilton outwits Bottas to take British GP

MERCEDES-AMG locked out the front row of the starting grid again, but this time around it was not drivers’ championship leader Lewis Hamilton who took pole, but rather teammate Valterri Bottas, at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix held at Silverstone over the weekend.

Bottas led from start, fending off the challenge from Hamilton during the early laps. Hamilton at one point actually passed Bottas, but the latter fought back and retook the lead. Bottas then controlled the pace of the race in the succeeding laps until he pitted.

The Ferraris and Red Bulls battled for third place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won this one out after teammate Sebastian Vettel collided with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

Then a spin by Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi into the gravel trap brought out the safety car.

Hamilton was quick to react, immediately diving into the pits. Because of the safety car, Hamilton was able to keep his lead when he rejoined the race. He then went on to take the checkered flag, chalking up his seventh win in 10 races this season. To make the victory even more convincing, he logged the fastest lap on the final lap of the race.

Bottas followed Hamilton to the podium in second place, Leclerc kept his third spot. Verstappen recovered fifth behind teammate Pierre Gasly. Vettel ended in 16th.

Hamilton’s win set records at Silverstone by winning his sixth British Grand Prix and ninth podium finish — the most by any F1 driver in the historic circuit. Hamilton’s 80th career win also equals Alain Prost’s for the most victories in front of a home crowd.

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