Verstappen wins fascinating French Grand Prix after hunting down Hamilton
Max Verstappen has won a phenomenal 2021 French Grand Prix and therefore opens the lead in World Championship to his rival Lewis Hamilton who finished in second. The Mercedes driver gave another tyre saving masterclass on a one-stop strategy, but couldn't keep Verstappen behind after the Dutchman hunted him down following a Red Bull two-stop. Sergio Perez overtook Bottas with four laps remaining to secure the final podium place.
At the start of the race, Hamilton took the lead from pole-sitter Verstappen who made a mistake in the opening set of corners. The Red Bull driver regained the lead after a successful undercut attempt, but Red Bull opted to change into a two-stop which ultimately was strong enough to chase down Hamilton in the final laps of the race. Verstappen took the lead on the penultimate lap of the race. He now leads the World Championship to 12 points.
It's the second time Verstappen has managed to win three Grands Prix in one season having previously recorded the feat in 2019. Verstappen secured the 48th podium of his career, and his second at Le Castellet. Red Bull Racing have won three consecutive races for the first time in the hybrid era.
McLaren perfected the strategy and made huge gains up the grid whilst Ferrari struggled out on track. The Woking-based team regain third place in the Championship standings with a P5 and P6 finish lead by Lando Norris.
Verstappen makes a crucial mistake
Hamilton and Verstappen both got off the line, but the Dutchman locked up at turn two and ran over the kerbs. This allowed Hamilton to take the lead on the opening lap. A gap he opened to 1.2 seconds after the first lap. The Brit reported a lack of grip but continued to open the gap.
Bottas managed to stay with the two runners at the front, but Perez dropped backwards by around a second per lap. By lap ten, Mercedes had some graining concern on Hamilton's front left medium tyre. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo looked like he was finding his feet in the McLaren with a stereotypical late-braking move on Fernando Alonso. Lando Norris also flew past the Alpine driver in what was a big gain for McLaren. Ricciardo triggered a successful undercut with the first pit stop of the day.
Undercut watch
Out of the first runners Bottas pitted first and emerged in fourth. With the undercut working for Ricciardo, Verstappen pitted immediately to cover off this move from Mercedes and an attempt to gain the lead. Verstappen was ahead by 1.3 seconds over Bottas. But with Bottas getting the lead strategy, Hamilton lost out to Verstappen in the pit stops.
Perez pitted on lap 24 giving Verstappen the lead. Over the following laps, Verstappen led a train with both Mercedes drivers in DRS range. Bottas dropped backwards but Hamilton continued to apply the pressure. On lap 30, Verstappen raised concerns about whether the hard tyres would last until the end.
This pressure was released slightly on lap 32 when Hamilton dropped back to a three-second deficit. But Red Bull pulled the trigger and gave up on track position. Verstappen came out in fourth with 21 laps remaining on the medium tyres. Before long, Verstappen set purple lap times.
On lap 43, Verstappen found himself in DRS range of Bottas. Verstappen overtook Bottas within one lap. The Red Bull driver had a five-second gap to close on the seven-time world champion. The gap was cut down to 1.6 seconds with three laps to go. Verstappen past Hamilton on the penultimate lap.
Now that the Red Bull is the fastest car, does that mean that Max is just an average drivrry, a poser and that any reasonably good driver could win in a Red Bull?
Hamilton and Mercedes are up against it now. Mercedes should of taken a chance on 2 stopping one of there cars. Good race.
Impossible for Merc to win today unless Max did another big mistake, RB is just quicker now
The RB car is definitely quicker than the Mercedes on the straights currently. Even with DRS and a tow, Hamilton was not able to get close to Max to perform an overtake. We saw this at Azerbaijan as well where he also couldn’t overtake Perez on the straights. Either the RB is very slippery or the Honda engine has got a bit of umph this year.
Did you see the wings the two teams ran? Obviously RB was faster on the straight given Mercedes ran high downforce. That's not indicative of straight line speed at all tracks.
He should have win few more races, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and etc. He won French GP, took Pole, Best Lap and Driver of the Day.
That was brilliant win! Very risky strategy but it is MAX. He beat Perez even with an extra pit.
Great race indeed. Interesting right to the end. That RedBull had some serious speed on the 2nd part of the mistral today. Mercedes made a small error with strategy, but not a lot they could do. The undercut was more powerful than expected! Well done to Max, made use of the car today. You can see who the best 2 drivers are on the grid with that display. Like to add also..... Ferrari don't like the new wing and tyre pressure rules, thats for sure!
Merc has problems doing the undercut because they are too long heating the tires, Bottas didn't get any advantage on VER when he did the undercut
Instant classic! What a treat for all the dads out there today on Father's Day! Happy Father's Day everyone! Jos just got the best Father's Day gift you could ask for!!
OMG VERSTAPPEN!!! And CHECO!! Max and RB just beat Hamilton and Mercedes in a SLOWER CAR!! Evident Hamilton is the most overrated driver of all time. Losing like that in a slower car, my goodness
Overrated??? He was in the mix despite the slower car, did you see Max's mistake at the beginning?
Solid drive by Max and good strategy by RB. Unfortunate for Hamilton. He did well to hold on for so long. Not much more he could have done. On to the next one!
RB definitely the favourites with the better car right now, nothing HAM could have done, despite Max's mistake at the beginning
Hahahahahaha nothing they could do!?! Did you watch the race?? They were clearly faster and got outsmarted on strategy. You are the biggest homer I've ever seen, it so sad!!
People who disliked this race should be tested for Covid. Maybe ,they've lost their taste.
The quota of Mercedes (& Hamilton) for winning the 2 Championships, is very low.
I dont think you can predict drivers' championship atleast now. Ofcourse RB did well today on merc circuit..But then probably 2nd half may be first 3 races would give an idea. But constructor's ya it seems max/perez is working out now.
krishsud, I assent to that , though this was not a prediction , an estimation (a possibility not a certainty), yes.
Losing the huge technical advantage over Red Bull that allowed Mercedes to use any strategy to win, considering that LH is a very strong driver, but certainly not so special when he has to put his best foot forward (he often makes mistakes), considering that Bottas is a mediocre driver, basically unable to protect LH's position and score points for the team, and that making mistakes in strategy and tactical errors means losing races and points, the odds on Mercedes and Hamilton are down. Before I give them up for dead, though, I'd wait for some PU updates, granted to improve engine reliability (another joke), and find a power level above the current ones.
I don't like to hear radio communications where drivers say they can't finish the race (on the same tyres they have at the moment) as fast as they could, because this speed would impact the "optimal" strategy and force an extra pit. I'd love to see the drivers drive flat out and choose their own strategies and tactics. I'd like to see LH and Verstappen duel on tyres in the same conditions and not one who has run out of them and has to lead the way. Since 2014, strategy has dominated over the ability to go fast, overshadowing the qualities of the drivers.
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