LEWIS HAMILTON has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
But it has been in controversial fashion after colliding with Max Verstappen in the first lap in an incident which saw the Championship leader crash out.
Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty and fought back in stunning fashion for victory on home turf.
Verstappen has been taken to hospital to be checked out following the horror crash.
Follow ALL the action from Silverstone with our live blog below…
COOL DOWN
Charles Leclerc wore an ice vest to combat the 30C Silverstone temperatures, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
But the heat on track proved too much for Ferrari’s French driver as he blew his race-long lead at the death to Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc took top spot at the British GP on the first lap after a dramatic collision between Hamilton and Max Verstappen, saw the Red Bull ace smash into the barriers at 180mph before dropping out of the race.
After a red-flag delay, Leclerc was ice-cool at the restart in front of a bumper crowd at Silverstone while also being watched by celebs including Tom Cruise in the pit lanes.
And his secret may have been an ice vest he wore before the race started.
The temperature hit over 30C in Britain today, with the race track hitting a crazy 52C.
And it looked like Leclerc’s method was proving to be a winner as he led the race up until the 50th lap.
WELL WISHES
British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton has sent his competitor Max Verstappen well wishes after the pair collided at turn nine in the first lap.
Verstappen was sent spinning off the track, crashing into the barrier at high speed.
On Twitter, Hamilton said: “Today is a reminder of the dangers in this sport.
“I send my best wishes to Max who is an incredible competitor. I’m glad to hear he is ok.
“I will always race hard but always fairly. My team showed grit and perseverance out there.
“It’s a dream to win in front of my home crowd.”
BRIT GRIT
On the same corner which saw Verstappen crash into the barrier, Hamilton pulled off one of the moves of the race to overtake Leclerc and win the race.
ONE AWAY
Lewis Hamilton is just one win away from 100 career wins in Formula One!
Lewis Hamilton pulls off huge F1 British Grand Prix win in front of Silverstone fans after penalty for Verstappen crashHAM RAM
Silverstone Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton gave his assessment of the crash in lap one.
MAX HITS BACK
Max Verstappen has slammed Lewis Hamilton for ‘disrespectful’ and ‘unsportsmanlike’ celebrations while he was taken to hospital.
The Dutchman’s crash registered at 51G on the G-force scale and he underwent precautionary checks after gingerly climbing out of the car.
He said on Twitter: “Glad I’m ok. Very disappointed with being taken out like this.
“The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track.
“Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour but we move on.”
LEWIS DISMISSES HOLLOW CLAIM
Lewis Hamilton has insisted the win does not feel ‘hollow’, as Red Bull boss Christian Horner claimed it should.
The racer says: “It doesn’t feel hollow.
“There’s 2000 people that work incredibly hard in my team, it’s not just about me. I said this is not what I want to happen in a race.
“It’s important for all of us to take a step back, I’m sure emotions are running high [at Red Bull] and I know what it’s like to be in that position.”
Credit: Getty BOTTAS GIVES HIS TAKE
Valtteri Bottas agrees with Charles Leclerc that both drivers had something to blame in the Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton crash.
He tells reporters: “I saw them fighting and had a feeling something was going to happen.
“But it happens, it’s racing. I feel like Lewis fully deserved the win today.”
CHARLES ON THE CRASH
Charles Leclerc speaking to the press on his view of the Lap 1 crash.
He says: “It is very difficult to judge it from the car, I could see there were quite a few things going on in front of me.
“I think it’s a racing incident, it’s difficult to put the blame on one or the other. Maybe Lewis was not completely at the apex but Max was quite aggressive on the outside.”
TRIBUTE TO LEGEND MURRAY
Look closely at this shot of Lewis Hamilton throwing his trophy in the air and you’ll spot a nod to Murray Walker.
The commentary legend, who died earlier this year at the age of 97, is depicted on the stand of the trophy with his iconic quote: “Excuse me while I interrupt myself.”
Credit: Getty TAKE IT IN
Silverstone put on one hell of a show today.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
That result cuts Max Verstappen’s lead atop the championship to just eight points.
TOP TEN:
1. VER – 185
2. HAM – 177 (+25)
3. NOR – 113 (+12)
4. BOT – 108 (+15)
5. PER – 104
6. LEC – 80 (+18)
7. SAI – 68 (+8)
8. RIC – 50 (+10)
9. GAS – 39
10. VET – 30GREAT DAY FOR LANDO
Lando Norris would be right to be disappointed given his slow pit stop cost him a potential podium today.
But the Brit put in a great drive to come home fourth, 14 seconds clear of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
And it puts him third in the drivers’ championship, leapfrogging Sergio Perez.
Credit: Splash FULL CLASSIFICATION
Here is how the 2021 Formula One British Grand Prix finished.
PODIUM JOY
Lewis Hamilton is doused in champagne by Valtteri Bottas after receiving the British Grand Prix trophy.
It’s all smiles for Mercedes after five races without a win.
LEWIS OVERJOYED
Lewis Hamilton gives his take, and tells the crowd: “It’s massively overwhelming, and physically really difficult.
“We have the best best crowd, a home crowd is the best crowd. They ain’t got what we got!
“I’m so grateful, this is a dream for me today. I couldn’t have done it without the teamwork of Valtteri and the team.
“Max is very aggressive and I was fully alongside him, but regardless of the penalty I take it on the chin.”
His dad, Anthony, and Tom Cruise are there for big hugs.
Credit: Reuters BOTTAS REACTS
Valtteri Bottas, third says: “At least we got Lando for myself and Lewis got the win.
“As a team, its a strong weekend and we go again in two weeks.”
LECLERC’S MIXED EMOTIONS
Charles Leclerc speaks to Jenson Button after jumping out of the car.
He says: “It’s difficult to enjoy.
“I gave it not 100 but 200 per cent, it was just not enough in the last two laps.
“Congratulations to Lewis, it was amazing to see the fans in the stands. It was fun, I just lacked a bit of pace late on.”
RED BULL DENY LEWIS A POINT
Lewis Hamilton runs off across the grass to savour the win in front of the fans.
However, Red Bull did nab a point off him as Sergio Perez pitted late for Softs and took his fastest lap – which won’t win the Mexican anything as he finished 16th.
Every silver lining…
MERC FIGHTBACK BEGINS
The Union Jack is out for Lewis Hamilton as he parades around Silverstone.
He tells team radio: “Great job guys, this goes to everyone in the team and back at the factory. I’m so inspired by you guys, thank you.”
Toto Wolff tells him the title fight is still on, and Lewis fires back: “Damn right.”
CHEQUERED FLAG – LEWIS WINS
It is glory for Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone as he survives a tangle with Max Verstappen, a ten-second penalty, and a great race from Charles Leclerc to take the win!
LAP 52/52
Charles Leclerc can’t fight that, dropping a couple of seconds back instantly.
One more time around Silverstone for Lewis Hamilton to win the British Grand Prix…
HAMILTON ON FOR THE WIN
That was almost a replica of Lewis Hamilton’s attempted overtake on Max Verstappen on Lap 1.
The Brit held back a bit more this time and Charles Leclerc drifted over the kerb and into the run-off area.
The fans go wild!
LEWIS INTO THE LEAD
Lap 50/52 begins with Lewis Hamilton right on Charles Leclerc’s tail…
The pair head to Copse, where the Lap 1 crash took place…
And Leclerc runs wide!
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
