Formula 1 British Grand Prix: Max Verstappen continues championship dominance with victory at Silverstone

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sealed his eighth win in eleven races this season as the Dutchman took the chequered flag at an entertaining British Grand Prix at Silverstone to further enhance his grip on the driver’s championship.

The 25-year-old finished 3.7 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who equalled his highest race finish in Formula One with a superb second place, his best result at the British Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton made the most of a mid-race safety car period to round off the podium places in the Mercedes.

Verstappen lined up on pole position ahead of both McLaren drivers and made a poor getaway at the start, and fell behind Norris into the first corner. The other McLaren of Oscar Piastri - who started in third - maintained his position just behind them.

However, it was just a matter of time before Verstappen made his move back past the Briton to retake the lead on Lap 5, and he remained out in front until the end of the race.

The McLarens were able to maintain their pace, and pulled out a gap to the cars behind, making a double podium finish a likely possibility at half-race distance.

Then, the momentum changed on Lap 34 as an engine failure on the Haas of Kevin Magnussen saw the Dane pull his car to the side of the track, which triggered a full safety car while marshals tried to remove the stricken car from the circuit.

With both Verstappen and Norris extending their first stints on the medium tyres, the pair of them were able to take advantage and pit under the safety car. McLaren opted to fit Norris with a set of hard tyres, compared to the soft compound for Verstappen.

The same could not be said for Piastri, who had come in just four laps earlier for a set of harder tyres. As a result, the Australian dropped to fourth behind Hamilton, who benefited greatly out of the safety car period.

The safety car came into the pits with 14 laps remaining, and with Hamilton on the faster tyre, Norris had to fight hard to fend off his compatriot at the restart. It saw close and fair racing between the pair of them, but the McLaren used its superior straight-line speed to remain in second place.

Meanwhile, Verstappen pulled out a gap in front and crossed the line 3.7 seconds clear of Norris in second. Hamilton had to settle for third after wearing out his soft tyres.

The other McLaren of Piastri held off George Russell behind him to take fourth place, his best race finish to date. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also completed a solid recovery drive to take P6 after starting all the way down in 15th.

Verstappen’s sixth win in succession takes him 99 points clear of his teammate in the driver’s championship standings.

As voted for by the fans, the McLaren No.1 driver takes home the 'Driver of the Day' accolade for his great performance at his home race. Not many would've thought that he would be able to hold onto his second place grid position, but the 23-year-old showed just how far of a step his team have taken to equal his best race finish for Woking-based outfit.

With Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin off the pace all weekend, McLaren and Norris were the ones to benefit. It should give the British driver confidence moving into the rest of the season.

LAP 1/52- LIGHTS OUT! - We are underway here at Silverstone! Verstappen gets off to a bad start and Norris gets past him into the first corner! The move is greeted by roars from the crowd. Verstappen remains in 2nd with Piastri in 3rd. Lewis Hamilton goes wide into the first part of the lap and is down in 9th!

LAP 5/52 - VERSTAPPEN BACK IN THE LEAD - Verstappen makes the most of DRS this time around, and uses the rear wing to get the move done down the Wellington Straight and into Brooklands Corner. Norris is helpless to defend, and seems to be harvesting energy from his Energy Recovery System (ERS).

LAP 34/52 - SAFETY CAR - The Haas of Magnussen pulls over to the side of the track on the Hangar Straight, and smoke billows out of the back of the car with some flames to go with it. He stops the car, and after an initial Virtual Safety Car, a full one is deployed. It calls the teams into action as they try and buy a free pit stop. Both Verstappen and Norris pit, but the McLaren has been put on the harder compound tyres instead of the softs! Could that be a mistake? Both drivers remain in P1 and P2. Hamilton also pits under the safety car for softs and he makes up some places and moves into P3!

LAP 40/52 - GREAT RACING! - The Red Bull of Verstappen has already pulled out a gap of over 2.5 seconds out in front. Meanwhile, the battle between Hamilton and Norris is shifted up a gear as the Mercedes tries to go around the outside into Luffield and Woodcote, and both cars are side-by-side! With Norris just in front, has the advantage and Hamilton backs out of it into Copse. Great racing between both Brits.

LAP 52/52 - VERSTAPPEN WINS! - The race leader makes his way around Club Corner to seal his first British Grand Prix victory here at Silverstone. That is his sixth consecutive victory. Norris comes home in P2 with a superb result, and Hamilton comes home in P3. Special note for Oscar Piastri who finishes in P4 to get his best result in F1.