By Mark Gero
As it was last year, the British Grand Prix had a home race winner. But also, in addition to this, a 15 year long drought ends with a veteran driver who placed third and is on the podium for the first time, capped off what was an interesting weekend at this classic venue. Here is a rundown of what happened at the 12th round of the formula one world championship…
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British drivers lead the way in Friday practice
Lando Norris began his quest for the maiden win at his home race by placing first in Friday practice with the best time of 1:25:816, which came during the mid part of the afternoon, despite having trouble most of the day. To make things even better for the home fans, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, also at his home event, had the best time in the morning.
McLaren again? No, Here comes Max
Just when it seemed that McLaren drivers would settle with a 1-2 and a front row, Max Verstappen came along with a 1:24:892 best time that completely ruined both Oscar Piastri and Norris and their chances for a front row lockout. But for the rest of the day, there were no further incidents.
Chaotic day of rain, penalties and a long wait finally over
Everyone who attended Sunday’s race was expecting some sort of excitement, but they did not expect to get their money’s worth as light rain caused the safety car to roll out for a few laps before the race officially began.
Piastri held the lead most of the race, and when the final safety car came out and before the restart, Piastri held up the grid at a slow pace, so much that Verstappen accidently passed the McLaren driver, which is something that is not permissible. But instead of penalizing Verstappen, it was Piastri who took the blame for going too slow and was issued a ten second penalty that was issued as Piastri came into the pits for his final stop. Norris, with less than 15 laps left, took the lead and held it for the first win at this home venue, narrowing the championship between Norris and his teammate by eight points. But the big story was about the third-place driver, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who after 15 years and 239 starts, finally achieved what he had been looking for: a podium that can now go along with his Lemans victory many years before. For Hulkenberg, this formula 1 moment might be more satisfying.
What is next? A sprint race where?
Following a break of nearly three weeks, formula 1 goes to another location where rain could affect the outcome of the race, and that is in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium at a circuit called Spa-Franchorchamps. With its wooden forest and history from the past in the Second World War, this circuit will host one of the sprint race weekends, which in its 4.4 mile track, should be what could be another interesting race weekend.
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