LEWIS HAMILTON MOVED to within one victory of Michael Schumacher’s record after winning a dramatic Tuscan Grand Prix which was red flagged twice.
Hamilton collected his 90th career win, taking the chequered flag 4.8 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes at Mugello.
London-born Thai Alexander Albon finished third to claim his first podium. Hamilton also secured a bonus point for the fastest lap to increase his lead in the standings to 55 points.
The race was first stopped on lap nine following a jaw-dropping four-car pile-up, which led Romain Grosjean to accuse the then-leader Bottas of “wanting to kill” him at the safety car restart.
Bottas was controlling the pace to avoid Hamilton, who he had beaten off the start-line, from getting a slipstream into the opening corner.
But the drivers behind were too eager to get on the accelerator pedal. In the middle of the pack, rookie Nicholas Latifi jumped on the gas but then had to brake dramatically.
A concertina effect followed with Antonio Giovinazzi slamming into the back of the Williams driver. McLaren’s Carlos Sainz then hit Giovinazzi with the Italian driver sent airborne.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was also taken out in the dramatic accident with all four cars ending up in the barriers along the pit straight. Fortunately, the quartet escaped without injury.
“That was f****** stupid from whoever was at the front,” Grosjean yelled over the radio. “They want to kill us or what? This is the worst thing I have ever seen.”
For the second time in as many Sundays, the race was stopped to deal with the debris and a 26-minute delay ensued.
The safety car had earlier been deployed after just two corners when Pierre Gasly became the meat in a Kimi Raikkonen-Grosjean sandwich.
Verstappen, who was sliding back through the pack after losing power, was punted from behind. He ended up in the gravel with Gasly.
Sebastian Vettel also lost his front wing after he could do little to avoid a spinning Sainz.
Following the dramatic opening exchanges, six drivers had already retired and that soon became seven with Esteban Ocon unable to continue in his struggling Renault.
The first red-flag period led to a standing start but after a poor getaway first-time round, Hamilton made no mistake on the second, moving into Bottas’ slipstream before assuming the lead round the outside of the opening bend.
On the occasion of Ferrari’s 1,000th race, Charles Leclerc had moved up to third from fifth but it was not long before his weak machinery was exposed and he fell back down the order.
At the front, Hamilton was in control and looked on course for an easy win after building up a seven-second lead over Bottas – but on lap 43 the race was stopped for a second time.
Lance Stroll lost control of his Racing Point through the second Arrabbiata, and crashed into the tyre wall. Stroll, running fourth, sustained serious damage to his car in the accident – which was caused by a left-front puncture – but the Canadian emerged unscathed from his cockpit.
Stroll’s stricken car was removed, the tyre barrier was repaired, and after a 23-minute stoppage, there was a third standing-start on this most frenetic of afternoons.
Hamilton raced away from his blocks to retain his lead but Bottas slipped behind Daniel Ricciardo. The Finn made it back past Ricciardo on the next lap but his best chance of beating Hamilton to the flag was over.
Albon then battled his way past Ricciardo at Turn 1 with eight laps remaining to claim his first top-three finish at his 30th attempt.
A miserable afternoon was completed for Ferrari with Leclerc and Vettel finishing ninth and 10th of only 12 classified runners. Leclerc was bumped up to eighth after Raikkonen was hit with a five-second penalty. Ricciardo was fourth ahead of Sergio Perez and British driver Lando Norris.
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Frawley deserves to keep his spot in the squad. Would go for 6/2 split with Frawley covering. Tough on Ringrose, but shows the depth of the squad at the moment. The impact of the 6 forward has been massive each time.
@Luke Guerin: Agree. This makes sense
@Luke Guerin: I think it can go either way Ringrose or Frawley in a 6:2 split. Ringrose kicked for Blackrock, while still a centre, during his early years.
@Luke Guerin: It’s a very fair shout but you could definitely argue the toss. I would guess Farrell will go 5:3 on the bench for England. The bench we had the last day in the forwards was immense and made a huge impact but we were definitely treading water out the backs in the final quarter. We could end up, like we did against Wales, with a centre on the wing, and we are then just one more incident away from a patchwork back line. Probably too big a risk for such a big game. For me I’d be more comfortable with a 5:3 with Murray, Frawley, Ringrose.
@Mark Murphy: agreed, AF will drop Baird for Ringrose and play it safe . We’d have huge problems if one of our centres or wings went down injured early on v England
@Mark Murphy: yeah, fair point. No reason to take such a risk I suppose. Have loved our version of the bomb squad though
@Luke Guerin: Keenan not back in training today, so discussion may be academic. If he’s not back, I guess it will be 6/2 and Ringrose will get 23. And is there a hint that Tadhg F is out? Only reason why Bealham would not be risked for the Connacht game.
@Luke Guerin: This is the challenge Farrell faces… it’s a tough one, but much better to have to choose from too many good players than not enough. As brilliant as Frawley was on Saturday, Ringrose is a 50 cap player, 2nd only to BOD in the 13 jersey. The question is not whether or not Ringrose is in the 23, its who drops out for him – Henshaw or Frawley?
Henshaw went v well indeed in the first 2 games. That said, he looked very slow against wales (I thought that ‘burst’ down the line where he kicked ahead was POM as Henshaw looked like a forward. Add to that 2 things :
1. Ireland rarely got outside Wales outside of kick passes (bravo to the 2 young lads) & Henshaw a primary reason here in terms of his style of play, & lack of pace
2. Whilst Aki & Henshaw are not the Danae player, they have a lot more in common with each other than either do with Ringrose. Ringrose offers so much more in attack, better lines, better play making, and this spread of playmsking amongst Crowley / Sexton, Ringrose, Keenan and Hansen has been critical for Ireland the past 3 years. Ringrose has to start, we will not maul England as much as in the first 2 games.
@Andrew Hurley: just checking, are you Ringrose agent, the missed tackle count is well down, with Ringrose not playing.
@Michael Colleary: ‘missed’ tackles dont tell the whole story as regards defensive nous. U can ‘miss’ a rush up tackle but still be very effective to the defensive line’s integrity oddly enough
So 5/3 split, we lose Conan or Baird?
6/2 split we lose Frawley or Ringrose?
Bealham is miles ahead of Jager so that’s an easy one.
The other decisions ain’t easy but I’d go with Conan & Frawley as those 2 sit better in Faz’s framework to date
I would reinstate Keenan and Ringrose, Henshaw no 23 with Byrne 22 in a 5/3 split. Can someone let Andy know, I dont have his number oddly enough. Ringrose is our outstanding and natural 13 imo, no disrespect to Henshaw who has been excellent in first 2 games
@Arjuna: Byrne? whaa?
Farrell needs to have a good think before selecting the team. England and Scotland have world class place kickers and they will kick Ireland off the park if they continue to give away stupid penalties. I suspect James Ryan might be reinstated over McCarthy for that reason (although the McCarthy Itoje battle
Might be epic). Regardless I think Ireland need to be much more direct with England as the pretty rugby in the first half last week didn’t translate into a decent points margin.