Max Verstappen retires from British GP after severe crash

Published on 18 July 2021 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen has retired from the British Grand Prix. The Dutchman started from pole, but immediately after the lights went out, he had a feisty Lewis Hamilton all over him. Max managed to fend off the many attacks from the Mercedes-driver until the inevitable happened and the duo collided with each other entering Copse. Verstappen was catapulted into the tyre wall but was able to get out of his car on his own. He was transferred to the hospital for a series of medical checks. This is now the second time, after the tyre blow out in Azerbaijan, that the Dutchman has finished outside of the points. Lewis Hamilton did manage to continue on and was able – after the penalty imposed by the Stewards – to fight his way back and take the victory home in front of his home crowd. Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas rounded out the podium.

“It looks fine but it was a massive impact”, says father Jos Verstappen during the race, when asked how Max is doing. “Max felt a bit light-headed and is in the hospital to have a CT-scan taken. He was rather quite alert. His shoulder is somewhat painful and he is black and blue here and there.”

Regarding the incident with Lewis Hamilton, the former Formula 1-driver says: “I have watched the incident together with Max. He pointed out that he left Lewis enough space and was halfway in front of him, but that Hamilton subsequently ran into his rear wheel. Then you know you are wrong. The fact that he just gets a ten-second time penalty is just ridiculous. All the more in a corner like that, that’s unacceptable.”

Round ten of the season gets underway under a clear blue sky. Max Verstappen gets well off the line but is forced to immediately defend his position from the charging Lewis Hamilton entering the first corner. The Briton has another go on the straight heading to Brooklands, but Verstappen manages to keep his Red Bull wide enough to repel the attack. The fight is full on until they enter Copse. Hamilton goes on the inside but the duo collide with each other. Hamilton comes out on top while Verstappen is sent flying into the tyre wall. Hamilton is able to continue on but suffers some damage after the collision. The safety car is immediately deployed but Race Control quickly decides to red flag the race in order to retrieve Verstappen’s stricken Red Bull and also to have the tyre wall repaired.

Around 16.45 local Dutch time, the drivers head back out again and the race is resumed from a standing start. Charles Leclerc starts from pole this time with Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and both McLarens behind of him. Lando Norris manages to wiggle himself between both Mercedes and overtake Bottas for third. Not much later, the Stewards announce that Lewis Hamilton will be given a ten-second time penalty from crashing with Verstappen.

About a third into the race, Charles Leclerc gets on the radio to report an issue with the Ferrari-power unit. Lewis Hamilton closes the gap to the Monegasque but the problem seems to have been solved a few laps later, giving Leclerc the chance to extend his lead again.  Lando Norris loses quite some time during his pit stop which gives Valtteri Bottas the opportunity to snatch the final podium spot.

On lap 28, it’s Lewis Hamilton’s turn. He comes in from second place for his pit stop and to also serve his time-penalty. He rejoins behind his team mate and Lando Norris. Two laps later, race leader Charles Leclerc is in the pit lane, the Ferrari-driver retains his lead in the race and rejoins with almost eight seconds advantage.

Lewis Hamilton manages to make little work of Lando Norris on lap 32 and takes third place from him. He then sets his sights on team mate Valtteri Bottas. When the gap is finally closed, it’s plain sailing for the seven-time world champion as team orders from the German squad ensure that Hamilton doesn’t lose any time in overtaking his team mate.

In the closing stages of the race, race leader Leclerc’s advantage diminishes lap by lap. With three laps to go, Lewis Hamilton sees an opportunity entering Copse. This time round, all goes well and the Briton snatches the lead in the race. Hamilton is the first to see the chequered flag and takes his fourth win of this season. Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas complete the podium, while McLaren gathers a decent amount of points with Lando Norris in fourth and Daniel Ricciardo fifth fastest.

Results Grand Prix Great Britain: