SEBASTIAN VETTEL OPENED up a clear lead at the top of the drivers’ world championship on Sunday when he wrecked Lewis Hamilton’s home race party and claimed an impressive victory for Ferrari in a thrilling British Grand Prix.
The four-time champion seized the lead at the start and fought back after losing the initiative during two safety car periods to register his second win at Silverstone and the 51st of his career.
Vettel’s win wrecked Hamilton’s hopes of taking a record fifth win in succession and a record sixth overall, but the Englishman – who was last after a collision with Kimi Raikkonen on the opening lap – produced a heroic drive to finish second for Mercedes.
His team-mate Valtteri Bottas, on older tyres, led the closing laps, but was unable to resist Vettel or his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third. Bottas was fourth.
It was Ferrari’s first win in Britain since 2011.
Daniel Ricciardo came home fifth for Red Bull ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Renault, Esteban Ocon of Force India, Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Kevin Magnussen of Haas. Pierre Gasly was 10th for Toro Rosso.
“The safety car spiced it up,” said Vettel, wearing supporting tapes on his stiff neck. “I had the advantage of the tyres, but it was not easy to find a way through.”
Raikkonen apologised for his first lap brush with Hamilton. “It was my mistake,” he said. “I deserved the penalty, but I kept fighting.”
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Replace one warrior with another. Good.
@Chris Mc: Seanie will right a few things ahead of next season.
@Chris Mc: I’m sure you remember this quote from the 2017 Lions tour: Phil Gifford, from Stuff, who was critical of the Lions style of play in general, referred to Sean O’Brien as “a flanker so tough and hard-edged he’s basically a roll of barbed wire in boots.” Great move by Leinster.
Great signing a great bit of business
No need to clean the toilets in cassidys
@Tony Mcgrath: bit of an insulting remark from a Munster supporter. Check your own coaches for a similar problem.
He might play a few games even. Would love to see it
I thought he was taking the pee ;)
@CAMILA REMONA: bad news for the Dublin homeless
Good project that hopefully works out
Seamus replacing Leamy. I wonder could we persuade Isa to come back and replace Dr. Phil?
RDS busy installing golden showers
Out with the old, in with the new!