(Silverstone) Max Verstappen rebounded from a slow start to win the British Formula 1 Grand Prix and claim a sixth victory in a row on Sunday at Silverstone.
Starting from the lead position, Verstappen was quickly overtaken by Briton Lando Norris, who had started from second position at the wheel of his McLaren.
Verstappen reclaimed the race lead on lap five, however, and held it until the end, en route to an eighth victory in 2023, from 10 races.
Almost everyone expected to see Norris slip in the standings during the race after his astonishing second place in qualifying on Saturday. However, he remained Verstappen’s toughest rival throughout the event.
After a restart in the race following the safety car’s on-track presence, Norris battled wheel-to-wheel with fellow Briton and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who, in theory, was shod on more efficient tyres.
Norris held on, however, and he finished the race second ahead of Hamilton, giving McLaren its best result since 2021.
PHOTO MOLLY DARLINGTON, REUTERS
From left to right: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton celebrating on the podium
Oscar Piastri, a rookie driver and team-mate of Norris at McLaren, finished fourth, ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes.
Starting from ninth place, Spaniard Fernando Alonso, driving his Aston Martin, gained two places and finished the race in seventh position.
His Quebec teammate Lance Stroll did the opposite, crossing the finish line in 14e place after achieving the 12e qualifying time, Saturday.