Verstappen snatches win from Mercedes

SILVERSTONE, England (AP):

Max Verstappen sprang what could be the surprise of the Formula One season by beating Lewis Hamilton to win the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix yesterday.

The Red Bull driver crossed the line at Silverstone 11.3 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Valtteri Bottas third.

“I didn’t see it coming, but after the first stint, it seemed we were really good on tires,” Verstappen said after his ninth career win. “We had a lot of pace in the car. I didn’t have any tire issues, and we kept pushing.

“It was an incredible result to win, so everything worked out well, and I am very happy.”

Mercedes had been expected to cruise to their fifth win from as many rounds this season. But both Hamilton and Bottas struggled with their tires to clear the way for Verstappen to take an unlikely win.

“It was a massive challenge,” Hamilton said. “Congrats to the Red Bull team and to Max. They didn’t have the problems we had today.

“It was definitely unexpected to have the blistering as hard core as we experienced. I was nervous the tire was going to explode, but I am grateful I managed to progress and get through the race.”

Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull’s Alexander Albon. Racing Point’s Lance Stroll was sixth.

Verstappen is now Hamilton’s closest rival for a record-equalling seventh title.

Hamilton will head to the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain, next week with a 30-point championship lead over second-place Verstappen. Hamilton has 107 points, Verstappen 77, and Bottas 73.

Hamilton matched Michael Schumacher’s record of 155 career podiums.

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 25

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 19

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 15

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 12

5. Alex Albon (Red Bull) 10

6. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) 8

7. Nico Hülkenberg (Racing Point) 6

8. Esteban Ocon (Renault) 4

9. Lando Norris (McLaren) 2

10. Daniil Kvyat (AlphaTauri) 1

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 107

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 77

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 73

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 45

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) 38

6. Alex Albon (Red Bull) 36

7. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) 28

8. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) 22

9. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 20

10. Esteban Ocon (Renault) 16

1. Mercedes 180

2. Red Bull 113

3. Ferrari 55

4. McLaren 53

5. Racing Point 41

6. Renault 36

7. AlphaTauri 14

8. Alfa Romeo 2

9. Haas 1

10. Williams 0