SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 1 hr 22 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Max Verstappen races to victory in F1's first Sprint race

:Headline: Max Verstappen races to victory in F1's first Sprint race:
The seven-time world champion started from first but was desperately slow away from his marks.
Sports Mole

Lewis Hamilton's poor start allowed Max Verstappen to make history by winning Formula One's inaugural Sprint race at Silverstone.

The seven-time world champion started from first but was desperately slow away from his marks, allowing his championship rival to cruise past him before the opening Abbey bend.

Verstappen then kept his cool to keep Hamilton at arm's length for the remainder of the 17-lap dash to the flag to increase his championship lead over Hamilton from 32 to 33 points and take pole position for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Valtteri Bottas finished third in the other Mercedes ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and British driver Lando Norris in his McLaren.

"Around here it is difficult to pass but I made a good start and had a good fight with Lewis on the first lap," said Verstappen.

"We pushed each other hard and we had to manage the tyres to the end.

"I am happy to get the three points and it is funny to hear I am on pole but I will take it and I am looking forward to tomorrow's race."

More than 100,000 spectators were at a sun-soaked Silverstone for the historic race, but the home fans were left stunned after the opening metres when Hamilton was gazumped by his Red Bull rival.

Verstappen took the lead and then set about defending his position. Hamilton sensed an opportunity when the Red Bull driver tripped over the gravel on the exit of Luffield on the opening lap.

The Mercedes man moved into Verstappen's slipstream before jinking to his left, racing wheel-to-wheel at 180mph to the roar of the British spectators.

But Verstappen smartly held the inside line and Hamilton was left with no option but to back out of the move.

At the end of the opening lap, Verstappen crossed the line more than one second clear of Hamilton. Soon the Dutchman had doubled the gap with Hamilton running out of laps to catch, and pass, his man.

"I am giving everything. Have we got any more power?" he yelled over the radio, with half-a-dozen laps remaining.

"Standby, Lewis, we are looking into that," his race engineer, Peter Bonnington replied.

But as the lap clock ticked by, Hamilton could make no impression on the Red Bull driver with Verstappen crossing the line 1.2 seconds clear to deal another blow to the Briton's hopes of a record-breaking eighth world title.

Hamilton (right) started from first but was desperately slow away from his marks (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Hamilton added: "I gave it everything today. I am sorry I am not able to get the win but tomorrow we go again.

"I hit the target on my start but it's not good when you lose from first but we will try to turn it into a positive tomorrow.

"Every point counts but I am grateful to finish. Max was pulling away and there was nothing I could do to hang on to him. I wish we could redo the start."

Fernando Alonso jumped from 11th to fifth on the opening lap but was passed by both Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, taking the flag in seventh, while George Russell started eighth and finished ninth.

British driver Lando Norris starts fifth in his McLaren (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Sergio Perez lost control of his Red Bull on the exit of Chapel and almost ended up in the barriers.

But the Mexican just about managed to keep his car in one piece before returning to the track.

He was running in 18th but was told to retire his car on the final lap. Perez will start from the back on Sunday, providing Mercedes with something of a boost.

body check tags ::

amp_article__455697 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-17 16:25:58:
html db last update - 2021-07-17 16:18:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Lewis Hamilton

Click here for more stories about McLaren

Share this article now:
MV
Read Next:
Max Verstappen tops final practice ahead of Silverstone Sprint race
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Valtteri Bottas Formula 1
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Max Verstappen tops final practice ahead of Silverstone Sprint race
Man Utd 'prepared to break transfer record for Real Madrid star'
Euro 2024: Confirmed teams, favourites and everything you need to know about this summer's tournament in Germany

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

All-time combined XI: Manchester City vs. Chelsea

1

AC

Guardiola delivers latest Haaland, De Bruyne injury update for Chelsea FA Cup tie

2

GD

"He will give us success" - Ten Hag tips key player to stay at Man Utd amid exit talk

NEW

3

&W

Former Ten Hag striker opens door to Man United move

4

FT

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PR

Chelsea handed triple injury boost ahead of Man City FA Cup tie

6

CH

"It is too soon" - Arteta confirms Arsenal man will miss Wolves clash

7

&I

How Real Madrid could line up against Barcelona

8

HR

Liverpool 'identify West Ham star as Mohamed Salah replacement'

9

L'

Man Utd 'prepared to break transfer record for Real Madrid star'

10

MU


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .