formula 1
“It’s crazy”: Verstappen also dominates at Silverstone
Max Verstappen continues his winning streak despite a weak start. He counters the maneuvers of his best Formula 1 friend Lando Norris and thus also prevents a British home winners’ party.
After the brief triumphal pose on his winning car, Max Verstappen patronizingly patted the helmet of his best paddock buddy Lando Norris.
The mercilessly superior Verstappen prevented the big triumph party of the British duo with Norris and record world champion Lewis Hamilton at the home race in Silverstone with another demonstration of power.
The two-time Formula 1 World Champion was not deterred by a weak start and clinched his sixth consecutive triumph and his eighth win of the season at the British Grand Prix. “That wasn’t bad,” he radioed into the pits. “A mega day for the team,” congratulated team boss Christian Horner – it was also Red Bull’s eleventh win in a row across the seasons. “It’s crazy,” said Verstappen.
Local hero Hamilton third
The 25-year-old Dutchman relegated Norris in the McLaren and Hamilton in the Mercedes to second and third place. But that didn’t spoil their joy. “It’s fantastic,” said Norris, who was greeted with loud “Lando, Lando” shouts. And the way Hamilton is, he knew immediately who he had to thank after a strong performance from seventh on the grid: “I didn’t make it, it was the audience, I felt the energy,” he said. It is an honor for him to drive in front of them.
In the classification, Verstappen meanwhile extended his lead on the way to the title hat-trick to an incredible 99 points over his teammate Sergio Pérez, who was still weak. The Mexican was only sixth.
According to official figures, 480,000 spectators came on the Grand Prix days and this time the so-called Orange Army – Verstappen’s fans – were not in the majority. The feared delays caused by protests by climate activists like a year ago did not come about at first. The responsible police had increased the staff again.
After a thrilling qualifying session on Saturday, when Verstappen snatched pole position from Norris in the last few seconds, the Formula 1 spectators were offered a spectacular counterattack by their British driver right at the start of the race. In the buddy duel, Norris passed Verstappen on the inside.
“As soon as you put on the helmet, you forget everything else,” Norris emphasized at the beginning of the duel. The cheers of the fans could be heard as far as London, about 110 kilometers away. Brad Pitt, who, like fellow actor Damson Idris, lined up for the shooting of a Formula 1 Hollywood film at the British national anthem, also experienced the goosebumps atmosphere live.
Cinematic Pursuit
After all, Verstappen was able to fend off the attack by Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri and set off in pursuit of Norris, his own statement “best friend” in the paddock. And it didn’t take long for Verstappen to grab the rebellious rival. On the fifth lap, the two-time world champion overtook, making up for his weak start after taking fifth pole in a row. After 14 of 52 laps he was already three seconds ahead of Norris and almost five ahead of Piastri.
Others benefited more from a safety phase following a defect in Kevin Magnussen’s Haas, such as Hamilton, who was third when the race was restarted. And the seven-time champion had the softer tires on it. “Well, wonderful,” commented Norris, who was worried about his chances in a direct duel, but was ultimately able to hold his own, while Ferrari once again had nothing to gain.
Carlos Sainz, last year’s winner, only managed tenth place, while teammate Charles Leclerc was just one place ahead. Things weren’t going so well for Fernando Alonso either, whose Aston Martin team has its impressive headquarters practically next to the track. The World Cup third from Spain was seventh. The only German regular driver, Nico Hülkenberg, dragged himself to the finish in 13th place in the Haas.
Verstappen could have been celebrated again for a long time. He also controlled this race, in the safety car phase he had the tires changed quickly, as did Norris. Everything calm, everything controlled. At the restart he once again defended his lead.
He also made that win into sporting solo entertainment after his counterattack against Norris. He achieved eight of his now 43 racing victories in this season alone, twice he had to admit defeat to Pérez. There was no other winner than Red Bull in 2023. Verstappen’s third world title in a row is becoming more and more of a mere formality this year.
In just two weeks he can distance his pursuers even further in Hungary and a week later in his almost home game before he can get in the mood for the rest of the season with his full home game in Zandvoort after the summer break.
Schedule British Grand Prix Track details