Thu, Dec 26, 2024 | Jumada al-Aakhirah 25, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Verstappen beats Hamilton in French GP to extend F1 lead

Top Stories

Winner Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates after crossing the finish line during the French Formula One Grand Prix. — AFP

Winner Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates after crossing the finish line during the French Formula One Grand Prix. — AFP

Le Castellet (France) - Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull came in third with Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes finishing fourth

Published: Sun 20 Jun 2021, 7:02 PM

  • By
  • AP

Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the penultimate lap to win the French Grand Prix and extend his lead over his title rival to 12 points.

Verstappen used the DRS system to catch Hamilton on Lap 52 and pass him on the inside before zooming off to clinch his third win of the season and 13th of his career. A bonus point for the fastest lap made it a great day for Red Bull, which had never beaten Mercedes on the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France.

Verstappen has 131 points to Hamilton’s 119 after seven races.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez sneaked past a dejected Valtteri Bottas to take third place and strengthen Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship.

Verstappen took an impressive pole position ahead of Hamilton and his teammate Bottas.

Verstappen got away cleanly, but then made a basic error cutting the kerb on Turn 1 and gifted Hamilton the lead.

Right at the end of another exciting race, he made up for it heading into the Austrian GP in a week’s time on Red Bull’s home track.



Next Story