F1 GP Germany: Hamilton wins, Vettel ends up in the barriers

Lewis Hamilton gives “tit for tat” to Sebastian Vettel, winning the German GP in front of the German audience. Starting 13th, the British driver was the author of one of his daring comebacks, driving like a champion at a time when the rest of the grid - and the pits - were panicking at the mercy of out-of-control rain, which at times wet the track. Hockenheimring. The one who paid the price in the worst way, with about twenty laps to go, was the leader of the race up to that point, Sebastian Vettel, which due to an error ended its run in the gravel. On the podium with Hamilton they went up like this Bottas e Raikkonen, while Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Perez, Ocon, Ericsson and Hartely completed the top ten. Pick up also for Ricciardo, powered by the Renault power unit.

News – Air temperature at 25°C and 41°C for the asphalt. There is a high probability of rain arriving halfway through the race, while the top ten start on the used ultrasoft. New only for Ocon. The soft mix instead for the rest of the grid, except Ricciardo, with the medium tyres. Gasly will start last, behind Red Bull, after the PU replacement.

Vettel gets off to a great start, but Bottas isn't far behind either and immediately tries to pass the German, albeit without success. Raikkonen also did well, holding off Verstappen's attack. The rest of the grid leaves their respective stands without incident, with Hamilton losing one position. After the first pass: Vettel, Bottas, Kimi, Verstappen, Magnussen, Hulkenberg who passed Grosjean, Perez, Sainz and Leclerc. Hamilton regained 13th place. In a handful of laps the Briton climbed up to eighth position, while several radio teams announced rain. On lap 10 Ricciardo moved up to 13th. Four laps later Hamilton has reached the leading quartet and is fifth behind Verstappen. The first to stop, on lap 15, was Kimi, who returned ahead of Hamilton on the soft tyre. On lap 18: Vettel, Bottas, Verstappen, Kimi, Hamilton, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Grosjean and Sainz. Subsequent pit stops saw Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Grosjean, Sainz and Leclerc return. In the meantime, Ricciardo has reached the top ten.

On lap 26 first stop for Vettel, who rides the soft. The German returns fourth, behind his teammate. Three laps later Ricciardo ended his race on the side of the track due to a sudden drop in power, while Bottas went from the pits to put on the soft tires, returning fourth. Stop also for Verstappen. The leadership thus passes to Raikkonen, followed by Vettel, Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Magnussen, Alonso Hulkenberg, Grosjean and Perez.

But then the German begins to complain about heating his tires too much and staying behind his teammate. On lap 39, the team order arrives: Kimi makes way for Vettel, who regains the lead of the race ahead of Kimi, Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Perez and Sainz. On lap 42 Hamilton finally stops too and mounts the ultrasoft.

The Briton returns to fifth place, behind Verstappen, as the rain gets closer and closer. On lap 44 turn 6 ends up in the downpour, and from then on the race takes a completely different turn. Sauber Mclaren and Red Bull panic, making Leclerc Alonso and Verstappen fit intermediates - Gasly even fits full wets... - and then switches back to slicks a few laps later.

On lap 51 Kimi and Bottas are fighting for third position, with Mercedes taking advantage of the lapped traffic and snatching the position from its compatriot. But the real twist is just around the corner... Vettel makes a mistake and slides into the gravel, ending his race against the barriers! The safety car comes out on track and will then return on lap 57. Meanwhile Kimi and Bottas pass from the pits and mount the ultrasoft, while Hamilton continues as leader. The final stages of the race saw Bottas trying to get under Hamilton, but the Briton resisted and, from the Mercedes pits, the Finn was then told to maintain his position. The German GP therefore ends with a Mercedes one-two and Hamilton winning ahead of Bottas and Raikkonen!

F1 GP Germany – Times, results and race laps