Drama and rain at Silverstone, and Lando Norris wins

Absolute drama unfolded on the “Silverstone“ track due to the rain that poured during the British Grand Prix, reports BTA. Lando Norris (McLaren) took advantage of the complete chaos and recorded a second consecutive victory in Formula 1, while his teammate Oscar Piastre (McLaren) was penalized for violating the rules and remained second. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who started from the first position, spun on the wet asphalt and finished only sixth, after sliding to 11th place after the incident.

Verstappen started off perfectly and left behind the two McLaren cars at the start. Oscar Piastre quickly lost chances to attack the world champion, and behind him Lando Norris tried to find a gap past his teammate, but unsuccessfully.

The race started on almost dry asphalt, but problems immediately arose when Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) went into the gravel. He retired together with Franco Colapinto (Alpine) and Gabriel Bortoletto (Kick Zaube), and a safety car was deployed on the track.

The first laps after the restart were extremely dramatic. Piastre caught Verstappen in eighth and despite several unsuccessful attempts to attack, the Australian overtook the leader on the "Hangar" straight and began to build a lead. Three laps later, Lando Norris also passed Verstappen, but it was time for the three to pit because of the increasing rain.

Piastre set off immediately, but the McLaren mechanics had problems with Norris's front left tire and slowed down enough to Verstappen regained second place in the pit lane.

The race continued on wet asphalt, but a serious accident between Isaac Ajar (Racing Bulls) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) brought out a new safety car. However, there was a dramatic moment around the restart that decided the outcome in favor of McLaren. Piastre drastically reduced the pace on the straights and Verstappen almost got stuck in him, and in the second of the restart the Dutchman decided to attack, but he had no grip and spun. This dropped him to 11th position.

Piastre was investigated for this move and was penalized with ten seconds, which he suffered in the pits ten laps before the end. Thus Norris won the race and became the first British winner of "Silverstone", not named after Lewis Hamilton, since 2000. At that time, the champion was David Coulthard.

Piastri finished second, leaving him eight points clear of Norris at the top of the standings. The points are still in the Australian's favour.
There was also drama in the race for third place, with Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) taking his first career podium in a race with Hamilton and Ferrari. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) finished fifth, with Verstappen sixth.