The Mercedes team is in for a big fight for the title as Max Verstappen passed Hamilton in an exciting French F1 Grand Prix. It was a tactical win for the Red Bull team aided by some brilliant driving by Max in the final laps.
Hamilton and his team will be left regretting their strategy after he was ahead in the initial exchanges. Red Bull also took the other podium finish with Sergio Perez coming in to take third place shutting out Hamilton’s teammate, Bottas. Lando Norris came in fifth for McLaren.
Verstappen took the chequered flag 2.9 seconds ahead of Hamilton and extended his lead at the F1 Championship to 12 points. Hamilton was ahead in the initial 19 laps of the 53. Verstappen had made a perfect start after beating Hamilton at the first corner. But he came in too fast into the left-hander and had to concede the lead to Hamilton.
Strategy Wins It For Red Bull At The French F1
Verstappen finally managed to go past Hamilton in a final couple of laps. But Hamilton could not shut him out, he’s wearing out Tires playing on his mind. In the end, it was a strategic win at the French F1 for the Red Bull team. Mercedes’ gamble to go in for a one-pit stop nearly paid off. But Verstappen Tires were fresher going into the final rounds and that made a dramatic difference in the end.
And in the 52nd lap, the gamble finally paid off. Verstappen accelerates past his British rival on the outside and all he finally needed was to cruise home in the final lap. Hamilton was having difficulty with his deteriorating Tires.
F1 Standings After French Grand Prix
Max Verstappen remains on top of the FI drivers standing with 131 points followed by Hamilton with 119. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez is third at 84.
Team Red Bull is at the top of the heap leading the F1 Constructor standings with 215 points with Mercedes way behind at 178. McLaren is at third with 110.
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