Charles Leclerc celebrated his first triumph at Silverstone after Sunday’s pulsating British Grand Prix was forced to end behind a safety car, prompting boos from fans who were denied a thrilling finish.
Leclerc, who led for most of the 2021 British Grand Prix but was eventually overtaken by his now Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton, had good fortune on his side this weekend as Silverstone’s final laps ended in a procession.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen forced a late yellow flag and safety car after crashing out of the race with just five laps to go, prompting Ferrari’s pair to come into the pits and prepare for a late tussle for first place by swapping to soft tyres.
Mercedes’ George Russell chose to gamble and remained out on the track, overtaking Hamilton and eventually taking second place after the anti-climactic finish.
Fellow Mercedes star and championship leader Kimi Antonelli was in a prime position to challenge Leclerc with just 10 laps to go but suffered a disastrous mechanical fault to slip from second and out of the points altogether.
Ferrari’s late decision to send Hamilton into the pits ultimately cost the seven-time world champion second spot at his home Grand Prix, but he still managed to claim his 16th podium at Silverstone – pending the stewards’ investigation into potential wrongdoing under the late yellow flag.
More to follow.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrated his first British Grand Prix triumph on Sunday afternoon
George Russell benefitted from a late safety car to pip Lewis Hamilton to second place
