Charles Leclerc WINS the British Grand Prix for the first time after Max Verstappen’s crash with five laps to go forces late safety car to deny fans thrilling finish at Silverstone
Charles Leclerc celebrated his first victory at Silverstone after Sunday’s thrilling British Grand Prix was forced to finish behind a safety car, prompting boos from fans who were not allowed a thrilling finish.
Leclerc, who led for most of the 2021 British Grand Prix but was eventually overtaken by Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton, has good luck on his side this weekend with the final laps of Silverstone ending in a parade.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen forced a yellow flag and safety car after retiring with just five laps to go, prompting the Ferrari pair to arrive in the pits and switch to soft tyres, preparing for a late battle for first place.
Mercedes’ George Russell chose to gamble and stayed on track, overtaking Hamilton and eventually taking second place after the anti-climatic finish.
Mercedes’ star star and championship leader Kimi Antonelli was in a position to challenge Leclerc with just 10 laps remaining but a catastrophic mechanical failure saw him lose points entirely from second.
Ferrari’s late decision to send Hamilton to the pits cost the seven-time world champion second place in his home Grand Prix, but he still managed to claim his 16th podium at Silverstone pending the stewards’ investigation into a possible error under a yellow flag.
More to follow.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates his first British Grand Prix victory on Sunday afternoon
George Russell takes advantage of the late safety car to pass Lewis Hamilton to second place
