Four home drivers scoop points as Charles Leclerc claims top step in whirlwind British Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc took the glory but it was a British Grand Prix to remember for the home drivers as four finished in the top seven.
In what was a rollercoaster race, George Russell of Brackley’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team claimed his first-ever Silverstone podium, crossing the line in second behind a late safety car.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, a nine-time winner around Silverstone Circuit, pitted for fresh tyres in the hope for an advantage in the final laps, but the racing never resumed and he finished third.
The safety car controversially remained out for several laps following Max Verstappen’s spin into the gravel at Stowe Corner, despite the Red Bull car being cleared away efficiently in front of the bright fluro Landostand.
Lando Norris climbed to fourth in his McLaren but the podium just evaded him, while rookie Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad enjoyed his Silverstone debut with a haul of six points down in P7.
It was a disappointing weekend for the fifth and final British driver on the grid, Oliver Bearman, but a 12th-placed finish in Sunday’s race was about as good as he could have hoped for.
Bearman has fallen victim to the poor form of Banbury’s TGR Haas F1 Team, struggling for pace while midfield rivals deliver successful upgrades.
It was a similar story for the other Haas driver, Esteban Ocon, as he came home just behind Bearman, down in 13th.
Meanwhile, for Russell’s Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, it was a devastating end to the race.
The drivers’ championship leader was catching Leclerc at a rate of knots for the win but he suddenly suffered damage, resulting in a severe reduction in downforce.
Antonelli panicked in the cockpit as his chances of a maiden Silverstone victory - and a podium - slipped from his grasp.
The damage - turning out to be a suspension issue - went undiagnosed for several laps as the Italian pitted twice in a desperate effort to claim even a point or two.
Antonelli remained in the points positions but an unfortunate five-second penalty - for several instances of breaching track limits - was something he could barely avoid in his stricken Mercedes.
Following the Silverstone drama, Russell (154) is now within 25 points of Antonelli (179) in the title fight. Meanwhile, Hamilton (147) is making promising progress.