Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pulled one over Mercedes in a shock win at F1’s 70th Anniversary GP to end the world champions’ winning run in an intense and thrilling race.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes managed to finish second after snatching the position from Valtteri Bottas in the closing laps of the race.
Red Bull benefited from good decision making as the choice to start on Pirelli’s hardest compound tyre proved crucial for them and a brilliant Verstappen.
Mercedes suffered from poor tyre performance yet again as cars on the softer ‘medium’ tyres struggle throughout the race.
Max victory hinged solely on his better performance than either Mercedes in the first stint, and although he fell short and went behind early race leader Bottas after his first pit stop, he continued swiftly and overtook the Finn for the lead.
Verstappen admitted he didn’t see it coming when speaking of his first victory of the year and ninth in F1.
Hamilton overtook his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas to finish second with two laps to go despite suffering severe rear blistering.
And with that disappointing performance from Bottas coupled with not scoring any point at Silverstone last week after a late puncture, Verstappen has now moved past him in the Drivers’ Championship as Hamilton’s nearest challenger after five rounds.
