03/07/2022
NEWS STORY
While the Weather Gods may have entertained us yesterday, it is looking increasingly unlikely that there will be any repeats this afternoon. There have been a few dark clouds hanging around but nothing of any real significance.
Nonetheless, yesterday's tinkering by the WGs has not only given us a brand new pole-sitter but also left a number of drivers out of position.
With the weather unlikely to play a significant role this afternoon, in terms of entertainment it looks as if we will have to rely on strategy, silliness, tyre deg and reliability.
Despite starting first and third, there remains a large question mark over the reliability of the Ferrari, and even Red Bull to an extent, indeed, in that particular area Mercedes leads the way.
With no braking until Turn 3 (Village) that will be the first real flashpoint this afternoon, with several more following... and of course, Copse, where it all went wrong for Verstappen 12 months ago.
Not one of the great starters, Sainz will be under intense pressure not only from Verstappen, but his own teammate, Leclerc, who starts from third, and Perez.
Losing out to Verstappen is one thing, but should Leclerc get ahead of Sainz in the early stages of the race the Spaniard is likely to find himself riding shotgun for the rest of the afternoon and probably the season.
The group that follows promises to be just as entertaining, with Hamilton, Norris, Alonso and Russell all jostling for early position, with Zhou and Latifi thrown in for good measure.
Having looked off the pace all weekend, AlphaTauri were among the main teams to benefit from the WGs interference yesterday, and it will be interesting to see how long Gasly and Tsunoda are able to maintain position this afternoon.
The most likely scenario is that the Alphas, along with Latifi, will soon form a DRS train, which will likely see the likes of Ricciardo as the one to suffer.
Indeed, as we have seen at a number of recent events, Alonso, once in a decent position, is totally unwilling to yield, and the Spaniard could also find himself heading a train of frustrated drivers over the course of the afternoon.
As we have said, tyre deg is likely to be an issue, and with a two-stopper likely to be the best choice, strategy is likely to be key this afternoon.
Regular readers will be aware that for some weeks now we have been predicting a Mercedes (Hamilton) victory here, but that's mostly our scepticism in terms of the direction the sport is heading. However, in Friday's dry session the W13 showed remarkable pace, as did the McLaren and Alpine.
To further spice things up, thanks to yesterday's rain, and despite the numerous support events, the track is going to be somewhat 'green', and could therefore spring a few surprises in the opening laps.
Despite being flat and featureless - it's a former airfield for God's sake - over the years Silverstone has hosted its own fair share of memorable races, and while we mourn the passing of the 'old' layout, the Northamptonshire track is still more than capable of springing the odd surprise, even without the aid of the WGs.
As we said, the quickest strategy is going to be a two-stopper, with a few different options on the table.
The medium is the tyre to start on, and the quickest strategy on paper is medium followed by hard followed by medium. This has the advantage of ensuring that two different compounds are run earlier in the race, opening up strategic possibilities.
For those who don't have a second set of mediums available, the strategy could be medium-hard-soft, which is also closely-matched - and could be converted to a one-stopper if needed. A one-stopper is possible but hard to manage: this would be medium to hard.
As always, this also depends on which tyres the drivers have left in their allocations, and what the conditions are like, the cooler the temperature, the more the softer compounds are favoured.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 18.4 degrees C, while the track temperature is 27.9 degrees.
One by one the drivers head out... at which point it start to rain, not heavy just a light drizzle. Oh those pesky Weather Gods.
Asked by Perez about the weather outlook, his team replies: "It's hard for us to say but there might be some heavier clouds coming over."
On the grid there is frantic work on Leclerc's car, understood to be an electrical issue.
In the moments after the national anthem - of which we shall say no more - race control conforms a 20% chance of rain.
"Nothing on the radar at the moment," Hamilton is told, "looks like it should be all clear."
Ahead of the formation lap, the air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 28 degrees.
Verstappen, Latifi, Albon, Magnussen and Vettel all start on softs. Russell is on mediums while the rest are on mediums.
So, Verstappen is going for max attack at the start, while Russell, starting from eighth, is playing the long game.
As they head off on the formation lap, it is Verstappen who leads the way, the Dutchman having to slow to allow Sainz back in front.
The grid forms, albeit very slowly.
They're away. Verstappen leads the field into the first corner, while Hamilton leaves Leclerc for dead, but as the field follows behind there is carnage at the first corner.
The race is red-flagged.
Russell, Zhou and Albon are out, according to the timing screens, while Tsunoda and Ocon are both making their way back to the pits, their cars damaged, particularly the AlphaTauri.
The field heads back onto the pitlane as we await news of Zhou, whose car was seen to travel across the gravel trap at Turn 1 upside down.
Tsunoda arrives back at the pits but his race is over, while Ocon continues his long drive back.
Under the red flag, the order is: Verstappen, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso, Perez, Norris, Latifi, Bottas and Ricciardo.
That was a nasty incident, and understandably consequently no replays are being shown.
Several minutes have passed and Zhou's car has still not been righted, and the Chinese youngster remains in it.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the incident, it does not require investigation it is decided.
It is revealed that Zhou is "OK" and has been extracted from the car. As the Alfa driver is taken away in ambulance, the crowd applauds.
Even though his car is damaged, it appears Russell is arguing with the FIA's Jo Bauer as he wants to re-start the race. While it is made clear that the Briton didn't get his car back to the pits under its own steam, he says this is because he was going to the aid of Zhou.
Meanwhile, repairs are carried out on Ocon's and Tsunoda's cars ahead of the restart.
As Mercedes officials argue with the FIA over whether Russell can restart the race, mechanics are sent to retrieve it.
"Following a crash at the start, Zhou Guanyu is conscious and now at the circuit's medical centre to undergo evaluation," confirms Alfa Romeo. Meanwhile, team manager, Beat Zehnder tells Sky Germany that Zhou is talking and doesn't appear to be injured.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone here.
Replay shows Russell hits Zhou after touching Gasly's AlphaTauri, the Frenchman sandwiched between the pair who were both slow off the line. The Alfa Romeo is immediately flipped over and skates across the gravel and over the barriers into the safety fencing.
In the ensuing melee, Bottas slow in a bid to avoid the mayhem ahead, and as Albon slows behind him, he is clouted by Vettel and spins into the barrier back into the path of Ocon.
Bottas is assured by his team that Zhou is OK. "He is conscious, he's talking, there is no fractures and considering the circumstances, he's pretty good," he is told. The crowd applauds.
Ahead of the restart, as the cars are pushed back to the pit, race control announces that the grid to its original formation and not the order in which the drivers were running at the time of the red flag. That will not go down well with either Red Bull or Mercedes. Additionally, Russell will not take part in the restart.
At 15:46 it is confirmed that the race will restart at 15:56.
Meanwhile, Northamptonshire Police releases a brief statement: "We confirm that after the red flag, several people attempted to enter the track. These people were immediately removed and the matter is now being dealt with by the local authorities."
The field will complete a lap behind the safety car, before a full standing restart.
Verstappen has now switched to fresh mediums, while Latifi sticks with softs, as do Gasly, Tsunoda, Ocon and Vettel. Russell and Albon will play no further part in today's race.
The grid forms.
They're away... again. This time Sainz holds position, and fends off Verstappen, while Perez makes a great start and is all over Leclerc. Into The Loop and they are almost four abreast, Verstappen on the outside, then Sainz, Perez and Leclerc. Indeed the Monegasque hits the inside kerb after being hit by Perez and lifts into the air. Behind Hamilton and Norris are side by side.
Into Brooklands and Leclerc tries to go around the outside of Verstappen, while Perez, still recovering from the clash with the Ferrari, is under pressure from Hamilton and Norris.
Into Luffield Leclerc touches Verstappen, bits of carbon fibre falling from the Red Bull, while on exiting Norris gets ahead of Hamilton.
Perez has damage to his front wing.
At the ends of lap 3, which is actually lap 1, it's: Sainz, Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Norris, Hamilton, Gasly, Alonso, Tsunoda and Ocon.
The incident involving Verstappen and Leclerc at Turn 6 has been noted.
As Sainz builds a 1.3s advantage, with his front wing damage Perez is falling behind and under pressure from Norris and Hamilton.
At the end of lap 5, Perez pits, as Hamilton is all over Norris. Perez rejoins in 17th, 19s behind Stroll.
Hamilton sweeps by Norris, much to the delight of the crowd.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 6, switching from softs to mediums.
The soft runners are running in a pack filling 7th - 10th positions.
Sainz reports debris in Turn 11 (Becketts).
"He's a bit quicker," says the race leader as Verstappen closes to within 0.508s.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, Perez posts a new fastest lap (33.435).
On lap 10, Sainz makes a mistake and runs wide as he exits Becketts on to the Hangar Straight, Verstappen doesn't wait for an official invite.
As Tsunoda spins at Turn 3, after tripping up over his teammate, Leclerc closes on his Ferrari teammate.
Lap 10 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton (33.338).
On lap 12, Verstappen suddenly slows on the Hangar Straight, he has a puncture. The crowd roars.
Luckily he is close to the pit and immediately dives in, though he has already been passed by both Ferraris, rejoining the race in 6th on fresh mediums.
Back on track, Verstappen is unhappy. "Check the tyres, there's something at the rear." Has he run over something or is there an issue at the rear of the car?
"Can confirm it's bodywork damage," he is told, "it is not critical, you can continue."
Meanwhile, Leclerc is all over Sainz with Hamilton just 4.7s behind.
"You have less rear aerodynamic load," Verstappen is assured, after telling his team that his car is "100% broken". "It is not a safety issue, you are able to continue," he is told.
Lap 15 sees another fastest lap from Hamilton (33.042).
Tsunoda is given a 5s penalty for causing a collision.
"Do something please," urges Leclerc, the Monegasque insisting that he is quicker than his teammate. "I'm not trying to influence the result, I'm trying to go faster."
Meanwhile, Alonso is just 1.5s behind Norris, and 8.4s clear of Verstappen.
Latifi is currently running in 8th.
A 32.290 sees Hamilton close to within 3.2s of Leclerc, as Sainz is urged to "push more".
Sainz lapping at 32.9, Leclerc at 32.7 and Hamilton 32.5.
Latifi pits at the end of lap 19, as does Schumacher.
Sainz pits at the end of lap 19, thereby releasing Leclerc but also covering Hamilton in terms of the undercut. The Spaniard rejoins in third on hards. Ricciardo also pits.
Bottas drives into the pits to retire, thereby concluding a tough day for Alfa Romeo. "It's a gearbox issue," he is told.
"Just a reminder, Leclerc is carrying front wing damage," Hamilton is told.
Ocon pits at the end of lap 22, as Hamilton reports that his tyres are "still strong". Magnussen also pits.
"We need full push, full push," Leclerc is urged.
Verstappen pits again at the end of lap 23, the world champion rejoining in 7th on hards. He is subsequently overtaken by Vettel, much to the delight of the crowd.
Unable to keep pace with Vettel, Verstappen complains he has "no grip, no grip".
Leclerc pits at the end of lap 24, Hamilton now leads. The crowd reacts accordingly.
The Monegasque rejoins in third, 2s down on his Ferrari teammate.
"I'm driving on ice," complains Verstappen. The Dutchman is now under pressure from Latifi. Yes, Latifi!!!
"Tyres still good," reports Hamilton.
Gasly pits at the end of lap 27, his race seemingly run.
Lap 27 sees a new fastest lap, this time from Leclerc (32.060), who closes to within 0.999s of his teammate.
"Are we fighting," asks the Monegasque. "Free to fight," he is told, "free to fight."
Sainz ups his pace, but is it enough?
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone here.
"Target is 32.2 otherwise we're swapping the cars," the Spaniard is told. His previous lap was 32.4. Told what is happening, Leclerc replies: "But we are losing time to Hamilton."
"Zhou has been declared fit and released from the Medical Centre," reveals the FIA.
A 32.7 sees Sainz get the message. "Obviously not good enough, we are swapping the cars". The Spaniard duly obliges and yields the position, leaving Leclerc 18.6s down on race leader Hamilton.
Elsewhere, Verstappen is 4.4s down on Vettel and just 1.4s ahead of Ocon.
Schumacher passes Latifi for tenth.
In clear air, Leclerc posts a new fastest lap (31.837).
"I can't maintain this pace for ever," says Hamilton, at which point he pits, as does Ricciardo. It's a slowish stop for the Mercedes driver who rejoins in third, 2.6s down on Sainz.
Alonso also pitted. The Spaniard rejoins in sixth, while Ricciardo is now 14th (of 15).
Norris pits at the end of lap 34, the Briton rejoining in 5th, 13.9s down on Perez and 2.5s ahead of Alonso.
Elsewhere, Ocon is just 0.5s behind Verstappen, who has gone worryingly quiet.
Out front, Leclerc, 2.6s clear of his teammate, posts a new fastest lap (31.774).
On lap 37, Ocon passes Verstappen as they head into Stowe, again the crowd roars its delight.
As Hamilton posts another fastest lap (31.521), the leading three are covered by 2.134.
Red Bull reveals that Verstappen incurred floor damage earlier in the race.
Ocon suddenly slows. "I've got a problem, guys," he warns. "I can't exit the corners."
He stops on the old pit straight, and as a result the safety car is deployed.
Sainz and Hamilton immediately pit, as does Ricciardo. All, understandably, switch to softs, what with just 12 laps remaining.
Perez pits, as do Alonso, Vettel, Verstappen, Schumacher and Latifi.
"Are you sure this is the right tyre," asks Hamilton.
Appraised of the situation, Leclerc isn't too happy. "That's going to be hard," he says. Another strategic blunder by the Maranello outfit?
Norris pits, the Briton rejoining in 6th just behind Alonso. Stroll also stops.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 42. “Told to maintain the maximum (legal) gap to his teammate, Sainz warns: "I'm going to be a lot quicker than Charles".
Told to give Leclerc "breathing space", Sainz says, "I'm under pressure from Hamilton".
They're away, and Hamilton has Perez all over his rear. The Ferraris are side by side, Leclerc runs wide and Sainz is through, while Perez has passed Hamilton after the two battled for several corners.
Struggling on his hards, Leclerc is now under pressure from Perez.
As Perez closes on Leclerc, Hamilton is attacking the Red Bull, with Alonso and Norris right behind.
On his old hards Leclerc runs wide in Luffield, Perez and Hamilton close in.
Into Stowe, Perez is through on the inside, but Leclerc fights back and retakes the position. As they battle they run wide and Hamilton passes the pair of them.
However it's far from over, as Perez repasses Hamilton after the Briton runs wide.
Alonso now is looking to make a move on Hamilton.
This is madness. Suddenly there are five drivers fighting for the same position.
Meanwhile, Sainz has a 3.9s advantage.
Leclerc and Hamilton are battling, the pair side by side as Perez disappears up the road.
Keeping a watching eye on events are Alonso and Norris.
In Luffield Hamilton finally gets ahead (again) but once again Leclerc refuses to give in and retakes the place, going around the outside at Copse. Brilliant stuff.
Finally, the Monegasque gives up the ghost and Hamilton, with the benefit of DRS, past at Stowe and away, as Alonso and Norris move in for the kill.
Meanwhile, Verstappen is under pressure from Schumacher as they battle for seventh.
Sainz begins his final lap, as Alonso closes on Leclerc and Schumacher continues to harry Verstappen.
Schumacher makes a move on Verstappen in Luffield, but the Dutchman has the advantage. However, he continues to fight the world champion all the way to the flag.
The final lap sees Hamilton post fastest lap (30.510), as the stewards confirm that no further investigation is necessary of the incident when Perez left the track.
Phew!
Fearful of using adjectives because there is always someone ready to shoot you down, shall we say that was entertaining, or go the whole hog and declare it brilliant... or how about dramatic?
Following the concern at the start of the race, it was the late safety car following Ocon's retirement that really set the race alight, the battle between Perez, Leclerc and Hamilton one that will live on for many years to come.
In many ways it's an emotional day, for other than the worry over Zhou, we have Sainz scoring his first win, Schumacher his first points and veterans Alonso and Vettel still racking up the points.
We also had Hamilton once again showing what he can do, his battle with Perez and Leclerc showing once again that he =can get down and mix it with the best of them.
To recap, Sainz wins, ahead of Perez, Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso, Norris, Verstappen, Schumacher, Vettel and Magnussen.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Latifi, Ricciardo and Tsunoda.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone here.
In the moments after the race, Stefano Domenicali is seen chatting with Zhou, who looks to be totally unscathed, while Mattia Binotto is in deep conversation with a clearly disappointed Leclerc.
"I gave it everything today," admits Hamilton, "I was trying to chase down those Ferraris.
"Congratulations to Carlos," he adds, "in the end I was in that battle but those guys were just too quick on the straights for us today.
"We lost a bit of time in the pit stops, and then I was chasing and chasing, but the pace was good on both stint.
"I'm glad everyone was safe from the big crash at the beginning.
"We are going to continue to push, try and give it everything we can."
"It was a great comeback, you know," grins Perez, in a masterpiece of understatement. "We didn't give up and we kept pushing and then the opportunity came there at the end and we just went for it.
"It was a great fight with Charles first of all, then with Lewis," he adds. "I felt like I had the position and Lewis was there. It was just an epic final lap but it was a good fight."
"I don't know what to say, it's amazing," beams Sainz. "First race win, 150 races later, with Ferrari and in Silverstone. Thanks everyone.
"Lewis was on it, I heard, but I managed to hold on. It was not easy, I struggled a lot with the balance on the first stint. All of a sudden the Safety Car gave us a chance to get back in it and we did it."
He certainly did, and while the crowd might have been hoping for a fairy-tail return to the top step for Lewis, surely nobody will begrudge Carlos his moment.
Indeed, for those few epic moments, there should be three or drivers standing on that top step.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone here.