Max Verstappen won a race of pure drama at the Hockenheimring as a string of rain showers led to several crashes.
Among a string of drivers to hit trouble were Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas, both of which retired. Lewis Hamilton had two major offs, one of which cost him the lead of the race, and took the chequered flag out of the points in 11th.From 20th and last on the grid, Sebastian Vettel climbed through the field in the closing laps to claim second place. He passed Lance Stroll and Daniil Kvyat in the final laps, and held the place despite sliding off in the Mercedes arena.
Kvyat held Stroll off by six-tenths of a second to claim Toro Rosso’s second podium. Carlos Sainz Jnr, who went off early in the race, recovered to take fifth,
Alexander Albon clashed with Pierre Gasly in the final laps of the race, putting the Red Bull driver out. Albon continued to finish sixth.
A slippery surface at the exit of the penultimate corner caught out a string of drivers including Leclerc and Nico Hulkenberg, who briefly ran second. Kimi Raikkonen went off at the same corner but continued, and took the chequered flag in seventh ahead of his team mate.
The two Haas drivers completed the points despite making contact with each other again, at the hairpin. Kevin Magnussen had Hamilton less than a second behind him at the flag, as Mercedes left their home race point-less.
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2019 German Grand Prix reaction
- Check back shortly for more race reaction
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:19
“Verstappen wins crazy German GP after Leclerc and Bottas crash”
And what Hamilton did, was, what?
GtisBetter (@)
28th July 2019, 16:21
A spin
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:22
Hitting any part of the perimeter = crash. In no way does crash mean retire.
GtisBetter (@)
28th July 2019, 16:29
I know, I know I forgot my question mark, so my remark wasn’t clear, it was a little jest.
Tango (@tango)
28th July 2019, 22:29
Let’s be pedantic : Hamilton increases championship lead in crazy race. Should please you :D
Raymondu999
29th July 2019, 5:39
It didnt increase… being pedantic – youre doing it wrong :P
Frank
28th July 2019, 16:23
A spin into the barriers lol
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 16:21
He didn’t retire, I think that’s the point being made.
And if Keith is using “crazy” in a headline, I think we can safely assume he liked the race. :)
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:22
‘Crash out’ would be more apt, then.
Mouse_Nightshirt (@mouse_nightshirt)
28th July 2019, 16:25
I really think arguing semantics over a driver who finished out of the points really misses the point of the entire race.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:30
@mouse_nightshirt you mean I am being pedantic when a headline emphasises two drivers who are, in the story of the season, B-roles at best, and the main A-role character did the same thing? Yeah, sure.
GnosticBrian (@gnosticbrian)
28th July 2019, 16:39
No you are NOT being pedantic. Pedantry is excessive concern with minor details, accuracy and rules – you are being anything but accurate. Just my opinion.
iCarbs (@icarby)
28th July 2019, 16:23
Hamilton being switched on to slicks was the start of all his troubles, but everyone who went on to slicks too early lost out in some way.
Made a great race in the end. The only slick tyre choice that was inspired was racing points.
Lots to talk about in the race.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 16:26
@icarby – very true. I came away with the strong impression that all the teams were desperate to be the ones who made the brilliant call to switch to dry tyres at the earliest, and paid for it.
Gaspar Palagyi (@palagyi)
28th July 2019, 18:23
How did Vettel lost out with slicks exactly?
morales (@morales)
29th July 2019, 8:57
Funny. VER was actually the first one of the frontrunners to pit for slicks. He even got the worse mediums to run on in the wet (more difficult to warm up), compared to the softs that HAM was put on and he still destroyed the competition. If it wasn’t for all the safety cars, VER would have lead nr. 2 by more than 30 secs. Easily.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
28th July 2019, 16:39
@hahostolze in spite of all his mistakes and that pitstop, he survived, unbelievably, crash and chaos under pitstop was luckily under SC, everything was trying to keep Lewis on the win path.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:21
Everyone made mistakes today. Verstappen included. His mistakes luckily didn’t impact his race as much as others. Still…when you cross the line 1st you deserve it. Well done Verstappen.
Has had zero impact on the championship but what a race. One for the ages. On to Hungary…Lewis territory.
Valinor
28th July 2019, 18:12
Difference being that with truly talented drivers the damage is limited when the make a mistake…. most of verstappens mistakes dont crash him out or when there is a crash he isnt the one receiving the damage :P …. its actually a skill.
Just look at bottas and Hulkenberg not being able to keep the car on track and look at an hamilton and verstappen being able to do it. Some drivers just have natural instinct and some dont.
Matt
28th July 2019, 17:29
Correct.
The Brit media can’t bring themselves to admit Hamilton crashed (colliding with another vehicle or obstacle), one under a safety car lap.
His “spins” today cost him the race just like Vettel’s mistake last year.
Not a good look for a seasoned veteran and a supposed GOAT.
David (@davidjwest)
28th July 2019, 17:49
The difference is Hamilton has made one mistake in what, 3 seasons while Vettel is making 3 mistakes (and more) every season.
Even GOATs make mistakes – show me an F1 driver who never made a mistake.
Dean
28th July 2019, 18:20
Why waste your time David. Let them have their crumbs of comfort from Ham. They are meagre portions after all. 😀
Applebook
29th July 2019, 1:19
Except Hamilton was clearly forced to put on the wrong tire and went off where tons of drivers also did.
Vettel was the only driver to crash at that corner last year and was on the correct tire to boot.
grat
28th July 2019, 19:20
Didn’t argue for intermediates hard enough.
And that pretty much started the snowball.
Today must be a very happy day for you. Enjoy it until Hungary. Few things are more dangerous than Lewis Hamilton coming back from a bad weekend. :)
Invisiblekid (@invisiblekid)
28th July 2019, 22:31
How long do you want the header to be?!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
28th July 2019, 23:16
Score points for ninth.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
29th July 2019, 23:21
@hahostolze What Hamilton did wouldn’t fit the headline even if everyone else was ignored…
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 16:23
Well that will be the last German Grand Prix for a long time, Mercedes won’t fund that again! Great racing by all in tough conditions, great drive by Max and Seb.
Some very questionable stewarding, but ultimately Lewis still leads by 39 such has been his dominance. I don’t think we are too far away from many years of boring Red Bull domination again!
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:26
@burden93
Ahh, when Lewis wins it’s his skill, when Verstappen wins it’s the car…………
GnosticBrian (@gnosticbrian)
28th July 2019, 16:41
We all stand corrected and admire Max’s skilful start and later spin of balletic beauty.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:25
+1
All drivers made mistakes today. Max had a few but they didn’t impact his race like some others. He crossed the line first but lets not call this a “masterclass” as Horner did.
Despite this.. congratulations Max.
JK
28th July 2019, 21:23
P1 Max. Fastest lap Max. 26 points Max.
Dean
29th July 2019, 8:01
Lewis P1 in WDC – 41 point from 2nd place and a whopping 63 points ahead of max. Lewis has as many wins this season as Max has had in his whole F1 career and we are only half way though the season. You wanted to talk stats…Let’s talk xx
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 16:56
@bigjoe Not quite sure how you got that from the above! Yeah I think Lewis is one of/if not the goat, but Max is clearly an unbelievably great driver capable of matching his records in the future.
All of the drivers at the top teams are insanely talented, hence why the top teams employee them.
By Red Bull dominance I actually group Max and the team together, it is man and machine after all. He’s a top driver and he has an incredible team around him
Anon A. Mouse
28th July 2019, 17:39
I’m about 90% sure that same comment was made yesterday with the drivers’ names swapped. F1 fans are the worst part about F1.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 21:02
Wrong. the media and pundits are. Just study the headlines and the hype, that more often than not leads to disappointment.
These are people who have increasingly created more jobs in the industry to steal a living from the fans. How many pundits do Sky really need to tell us the next race ‘could’ be ‘the one’
Will Jones
28th July 2019, 21:19
Thanks for proving him correct
Michal (@terrion)
28th July 2019, 16:24
Inb4 Kubica will be every race behind Russell, but will beat him in championship standings
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 16:26
@terrion – ha ha, good call. Tons of retirements today to help Bob.
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 17:19
He might be on for a point with a possible penalty for the Alfa drivers!
Kribana (@krichelle)
28th July 2019, 16:24
Bottas can be in trouble for next year. Hamilton was just off after his incident, whether he has continued to not feel well or not. Verstappen has already won driver of the first half.
koddamn (@gufdamm)
28th July 2019, 16:28
Lewis clearly lost interest in the race as the events transpired. His last bit of fighting spirit was his pass on Albon. After that he was done with it.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:31
@gufdamm
That move on Albon looked quite leisurely and down to experience
Alex
28th July 2019, 16:32
Yeah we have to remember that Lewis had the sniffles
Kribana (@krichelle)
28th July 2019, 16:43
Hamilton loses his mood to race whenever nothing is there to achieve. This could be down to the power unit rules. I get it that it is better to save the power unit than to use mileage, and then come up with nothing. But Mercedes is a team that has won 5 straight championships and the only team to win through regulation changes. They just need to regroup for Hungary. However, I am losing trust in Bottas. Recently, he has been way off the pace in comparison to his teammate.
Ipsom
28th July 2019, 17:19
@krichelle
He could have definitely achieved some good points.
As for bottas… it’s ocons seat now
JohnH (@johnrkh)
28th July 2019, 16:31
Bottas has been in doubt for a while. Gasley is likely gone. Verstappen won and good on him. But Vettels drive was really good as was Kyvats.
Mark
28th July 2019, 17:42
Bottas is safe for next year despite Wolff’s BS.
Hamilton is quite comfortable with Bottas as he knows he can easily beat him.
He claims he will have anyone as a teammate but 2 years ago when ALO’s name came up as he stated “it will never happen.” Sounds like he had some input, no?
Last week Hamilton was asked if he would like to have VER as a teammate. Hamilton responded he and Bottas get along quite well. In other words no way. Toxic atmosphere.
Don’t worry Bottas, your seat is safe.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 17:44
I’m inclined to agree. Ocon is a bit of a hothead, and as long as Hamilton is with Mercedes, Toto will not want to shake up the dynamic. As long as Ferrari are Ferrari and RBR have Gasly, Mercedes are sitting pretty.
Fantomius (@liko41)
28th July 2019, 21:06
Being honest, Hamilton had faced far more valuable teammates than any other great drivers of the past.
Bottas is probably not to be rated on par with Alonso, Button and Rosberg, but he is nonetheless good and had been allowed to race on equal treatment with Lewis pretty much every race.
I think this is enough to affirm Hamilton doesn’t fear any teammate.
He only wants to be treated equally. (ehm.. Rosberg-cough-cough)
JohnH (@johnrkh)
29th July 2019, 2:01
Mark @phylyp The way I’m looking at it is Hamilton is unlikely to go to 2021 Merc will need a potential WDC and they have him there in the team now, and it’s not Bottas. Bottas is a good reliable driver but he is not a WDC Ocon is.
So even if Ocon goes to another team next yr it will be on loan. Merc would have rocks in there heads to let him slip through there fingers. They also have Russel again big potential and Merc have him as well. Verstappen will likely stay at RB if the car becomes fully competitive next yr. And yes I still have my fingers crossed that Renault and Ricciardo can full fill their potential and get up to the pointy end of the grid.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
29th July 2019, 3:20
@johnrkh – I think you’ve solved Mercedes’ problem for them – Russell. From what I’ve seen of him this year, he has the maturity and calmness (especially in the Williams), and he comes with a good racing reputation from lower series. Or else, Mercedes ought to make a big play to steal Lando – he has shown his talent and maturity as well.
Postreader
28th July 2019, 16:25
Hamilton made mistakes on the race (all the top six drivers did, I think? Except Vettel but it can be argued he was cautious on the rain) but Merc’s strategy and pit stop work was unforgivable.
iCarbs (@icarby)
28th July 2019, 16:34
Ham’s drive was flawless until his slick tyre change, which in fact he was sceptical about, from then it went downhill. Not Mercedes day mistakes made from the drivers to the strategy.
Red bull on the whole made less mistakes and rightly won. Even though I think Torro Rosso were excellent today.
Yloops
29th July 2019, 6:22
I think the bigger mistake was not pitting him with the penalty during the safety car period and have him take the penalty at full speed. I can’t understand the logic in that decision.
Psi (@psi)
28th July 2019, 16:43
Still, max as DOTD? With spins and errors? He has a whole country voting for him.
GtisBetter (@)
28th July 2019, 16:48
London alone has the same population as 50% of the netherlands, so that is not saying much.
David (@davidjwest)
28th July 2019, 17:34
Plenty of Londoners and UK people don’t like Hamilton.
For me Vettel, Kvyat or Stroll deserved DOTD
David (@nvherman)
28th July 2019, 19:26
I’m British, and I live in the UK, and I voted for Verstappen.
Vettel and Kvyat were also worthy mentions.
Heck, I believe Albon had a better drive than Hamilton did. So did Stroll.
_That’s_ how bad Hamilton was today.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 21:05
@nvherman
I would give it to Albon. he was looking good until a safety car. He was a sitting duck for Hamilton at the wrong time.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:30
Lewis made 1 mistake and it cost him very dearly. Verstappen made more but came out on top. That’s racing sometimes. Can’t say anything other than well done Max.
Arnoud van Houwelingen (@kavu)
28th July 2019, 18:14
Dean …Lewis made 2 big errors .. not only the crash with the wall wich destroyed his front wing but also he did a 360 on other part of the track where Bottas crashed or did you forgot that one?
Dean
28th July 2019, 18:25
And Max made how many mistakes? I lost count of the times he slipped off track. But hey…He won, so kudos to him, his fans and RB. All that counts is that final result.
Oconomo
28th July 2019, 18:37
@dean
Lol, even when he spun (thanks to the yellows btw) he kept part of his car on the track.
Spinning and winning….only reserved for the all-time greats.
And the moment he got clean air……oooh, did he show us who’s the fastest man on the planet.
steveetienne
28th July 2019, 18:57
I think you’ll find the fastest men on the planet are any of those that have achieved re-entry, specifically Apollo astronauts. Pretty sure many of them are still alive – they achieved speeds of around 24,000mph so to imply that Max ‘showed’ who the fastest man on the planet is, he was around 23,800mph short.
Dean
28th July 2019, 19:33
Not a time to slate Max but when, and ONLY when, he has achieved even half of what some of the current drivers have, will he be classed as getting close to being the “fastest man on the planet” but enjoy today Max fans.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 21:10
You don’t need to collect trophies in the best car to be considered the fastest.
Funny how Hamilton was accepted to be the fastest when he had 1 lucky WC in 6 years at a top team, whilst Alonso was considered the ‘complete package’ dragging 3rd rate cars into runners up positions.
Max does look the fastest driver right now.
JosTheBoss
28th July 2019, 23:33
@steveetienne
Well those austronauts achieved those speeds in space, so they’re not really the fastest ON the planet, are they?
Dean
29th July 2019, 12:24
@ Joseph think you need to have accumulated more than 7 wins though.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:29
For a whilst everything was going just right for Lewis. Spun off and the only one not to get stuck. Conveniently by the pits.
Safety cars at right time for free tyres and again to catch Verstappen
kartguy07 (@kartguy07)
28th July 2019, 17:20
@bigjoe
It wasn’t really conveniently by the pits, it was just past the entrance, leaving the conundrum of driving a while lap with half a front wing, driving the wrong way on the circuit to get into the pits around the prescribed bollard or just cutting across as he eventually did.
Oh, and one of the VSCs ended while he was in the pits, which is actually quite a problem, because the pitstop is suddenly a lot more expensive than was calculated.
Invisiblekid (@invisiblekid)
28th July 2019, 22:36
It’s now not even a conundrum if 5 seconds is all you get. A slowish lap or 5 seconds? I know what every driver will do now.
Although the circumstances of this being repeated are slim to none.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
28th July 2019, 16:29
More please.
More like this.
The unpredictability of the weather really made the strategists earn their pay and forced the drivers to think rather than just “Follow Plan A” or whatever.
Let’s reschedule the calender to have races during that venues unpredictable weather zone rather than only racing when it will be clear and dry.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:32
@nullapax
If Formula E did that F1 fans would call it ‘gimmicky’
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
28th July 2019, 16:36
@bigjoe Got to disagree with you there.
A gimmick is something predictable, like DRS.
Unpredictable weather is just …. unpredictable.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 21:12
Sorry just re-read. I thought you meant to have all races in those zones.
kartguy07 (@kartguy07)
28th July 2019, 17:21
I think thousands of people who went to Silverstone in April might disagree with you.
socksolid (@socksolid)
28th July 2019, 17:45
Sprinklers.
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 21:12
@socksolid
Gimmick
socksolid (@socksolid)
28th July 2019, 22:01
Joke.
glynh (@glynh)
28th July 2019, 16:29
I don’t think the pit stop was their fault, Hamilton crashed on the way in so they had no way of knowing he would need a front wing.
glynh (@glynh)
28th July 2019, 16:31
That was supposed to be a reply to postreader.
Postreader
28th July 2019, 16:36
It shouldn’t have taken more than a few seconds for someone to realize what was going on and give the orders. Not run around like blind ants during a 50 second pit stop.
Also, the two following pit stops had incredibly poor timing, as well.
Boudi
28th July 2019, 16:37
The pit stops costed HAM dearly. He was 3rd and had 17s advantage over the 4th placed so he had time to pit under SC, serve his penalty, change tyres and go out again in 3rd but yet the team didn’t. And after 2 laps they pitted him under normal race conditions and pitted him, he served his penalty and went down to 12th and this is what broke the last hope. Huge rare mistake from the team today.
Alex
28th July 2019, 17:20
And rare mistakes from Hamilton
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:33
@glynh
Are you sure he was on his way in? The wings were already out though.
glynh (@glynh)
28th July 2019, 16:38
@bigjoe I meant he crashed on his way into the pits so they had no time to react. I’m not sure if he was pitting anyway.
I think the wings are always outside ready.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:33
He didn’t crash on his way to pits. He was past the pits, hence him cutting across the grass to get to the pits. The team weren’t expecting him and chaos ensued.
JosTheBoss
28th July 2019, 17:19
Considering he only recieved a 5 second penalty for entering the pits the wrong way, which saved him a whole lap with a half front wing in wet conditions. I’d say he got pretty lucky.
Alex
28th July 2019, 17:22
Very lucky. Otherwise he would have been a lap down compared to just 5 secs.
David (@davidjwest)
28th July 2019, 17:35
It was under SC remember so he may not have lost much time, the main issue was if the car got damaged dragging the front wing around for a lap.
kartguy07 (@kartguy07)
28th July 2019, 17:25
Yeah, but it’s hard to believe he wasn’t on the radio saying he’d hit the wall and needed a new wing and/or tyres. I assume he was aware of that, otherwise why pit?
JI
28th July 2019, 16:29
I thought Hamilton was the rainmaster? LMAO
Joseph (@bigjoe)
28th July 2019, 16:34
It was mostly dry. At the start he said ‘there’s not much rain’
iCarbs (@icarby)
28th July 2019, 16:35
He is, but like all the top drivers are human.
Boudi
28th July 2019, 16:38
Huh? He was pulling away under the rain, for 3 SC and VSC periods, his mistakes came on the slicks on a wet dry and HE DIDN’T WANT TO PIT FOR SLICKS. The strategy team made huge mistakes today and the drivers paid for it.
Alex
28th July 2019, 17:23
Boudi sometimes you just have to admit that ‘your’ driver made mistakes.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:37
Yes he made a mistake. All of the top 6 drivers did. Verstappen made more than all of them yet won. Its just how the dice roll sometimes.
Oconomo
28th July 2019, 18:40
@dean
Yeah, like dices had anything to do with Max winning…whahaha!
Come on dude, exposing you’re disappointment so badly……..salty tears.
slowmo (@slowmo)
28th July 2019, 23:42
Why would he be salty, Hamilton still extended his championship lead.
Dean
29th July 2019, 12:27
A 6th WDC for Lewis will dry them quickly old boy. Don’t you worry 😛
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:34
Good try. No cigar xxx
David (@davidjwest)
28th July 2019, 17:37
He is, won the last 11 rain affected races straight. Rumours of his demise are greatly exagerated.
Be interesting to see some stats showing wins in rain affected races, I expect Hamilton would be right up there with Schumacher and Senna.
w0o0dy
28th July 2019, 21:23
He lost today and quite badly actually. And had it not been for Ocon he wouldn’t have won Brasil in 2016 either. He got a real good lesson from Max back then… If only that idiot had not run into Max.
Yes Hamilton is a great driver but I don’t think he is the best in the wet. With equal equipment I’m convinced Max would be out of reach for any of the current drivers on a wet track.
limitless
29th July 2019, 6:11
Well not even Senna nor Schumacher had such dominant cars as Hamilton has had for a very long time. A superior car will always be easier to drive in any condition. You can be further from the limits and still be faster than anyone.
Will Jones
28th July 2019, 21:56
Who calls him that? I haven’t heard that term since Schumacher
carbon_fibre (@carbon_fibre)
28th July 2019, 16:30
It’s so painful supporting Leclerc! Once again he could have won. When one Ferrari driver does well the other faulters!
NeverElectric
28th July 2019, 16:31
“Are you not entertained??”
Shambolic strategy by Mercedes, the call to put Hamilton on the slicks was disastrous. What a lost opportunity for him to stretch his lead at the top of the standings, and for Mercedes to score even more constructors points.
And surely that’s it for Bottas at Mercedes? And for Gasly at RBR’s senior team?
Psi (@psi)
28th July 2019, 16:46
Of course Hamilton did nothing wrong. When he wins, he is the best. But today it was his strategist’s fault?
NeverElectric
28th July 2019, 16:51
He did not want to pit for slicks. His team made the call.
Slicks were the wrong tyre for the conditions, obviously, we now know.
Ergo, team at fault today.
QED.
Alex
28th July 2019, 17:26
Does the team include Hamilton?
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:48
Of course the team includes Hamilton. All that’s been said is Lewis stated the slicks were the wrong tyre. He trusts his team and went with their call. It was the wrong call but it was Lewis that lost the car and hit the barrier. It was the only mistake he made all race but it cost him AND the team very dearly. I the grand scene of things though… Not such a big deal.
F1Master
28th July 2019, 17:33
Lewis had on off day. Many had an off day. The conditions were very tricky. Luck, talent, team work and patience was required to prevail and Max prevailed. But blaming Merc strategy to show support for Lewis is totally wrong. They win and lose together. Merc knows it, Lewis knows it. So get on with it mate!
Matthijs (@matthijs)
28th July 2019, 19:11
Vettel pitted for slicks before Hamilton did and ended up second. Don’t put all the blame on the tyres.
Matthijs (@matthijs)
28th July 2019, 19:21
Or did you mean Mercedes was too late with the call for slicks?
Ed
28th July 2019, 17:44
When he asked to stop under VSC and they said it was better not cuz they didn’t want to lose the 5 seconds on the pit stop was really dumb.
With a weather as that, it was to bold to expect not to pit anymore with 30 laps to go.
It wrecked his race for good. Then he spun, but the damage was already done.
Hugh (@hugh11)
28th July 2019, 16:33
My 3 favourite drivers all retired for various reasons (and though Hulk had a chance at a podium, I think he’d have been 4th or 5th but we’ll never know), but yet I’m still so insanely hyped from that. What an unbelievable race, the best I can remember for a long time. That was ridiculously good.
And well done to Dani Kvyat. Has his kid, wakes up the next morning, and goes and gets Toro Rosso’s first podium since Monza 2008. Also, Hulk crashing led to Kvyat putting on softs and getting the podium. You’re welcome. I’m not trying to mask the pain.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 16:36
@hugh11 – really? That’s awesome for him. I’m doubly pleased.
Hugh (@hugh11)
28th July 2019, 16:41
Well, more accurately, his partner had the kid, but yeah, he mentioned in the post race chat with Martin Brundle
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
28th July 2019, 16:44
@phylyp Yep – little girl born last night I think I heard him say :)
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 17:01
Neat, very pleased for all of them! @hugh11 @nullapax
Although he put Vettel out of a race, I’ve always felt Kvyat had been done hard by, so good to see good things coming his way.
zomtec (@zomtec)
28th July 2019, 16:42
We’ll never know where the Hulk would’ve finished, his tyres were quite old after not stopping during one of the SC phases. So gutted…
Sundar Srinivas Harish (@sundark)
28th July 2019, 16:46
I came to Racefans looking for your comment! :)
I share your pain in Hulkenberg’s retirement, but he’s bottled a lot of good chances for a crazy result in unpredictable races in the last few years, and I honestly don’t know why I hoped he’d keep himself in podium contention in this race too. Ah well, Hulk, you’ll still have my support for the endless string of consistent 7th place finishes you bring.
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 17:07
+1 Gutted for Hulk, he had a good chance of the podium today, just hope it happens at some point!
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
28th July 2019, 16:34
2 Hondas on the podium???
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 16:39
@jaymenon10 – Grand Podium 2 engine.
erikje
28th July 2019, 21:44
And 2 Renault engines down. One in Renault style…
GnosticBrian (@gnosticbrian)
28th July 2019, 16:35
Snowflake generation expect mistakes to be consequence free…
…he got out of jail on the unsafe release, does he complain of inconsistency in how stewards have punished unsafe releases?
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:37
@gnosticbrian I adore this comment, especially in the context of Leclerc moaning about that ‘drag strip’ in another article on this website. Bang on.
John H (@john-h)
28th July 2019, 16:41
We’ve had plenty of drivers admitting their mistakes lately, this has nothing to do with the ‘snowflake’ generation. More the individual.
GnosticBrian (@gnosticbrian)
28th July 2019, 16:45
There is a difference between admitting a mistake and asking that there be no consequences of said mistake.
GtisBetter (@)
28th July 2019, 16:52
You can safely ignore people who use the term snowflake.
slowmo (@slowmo)
28th July 2019, 23:48
+1 it’s such a lazy term to use. I find it the height of ignorance to dismiss someone’s opinion out of hand. Sure some of the younger generation do have some character flaws but they’re not the only one’s….
MB (@muralibhats)
28th July 2019, 16:35
Unfortunate timing of all Alfa pit timings. They did everything right before someone crashed.
Abe (@okeptl)
28th July 2019, 16:36
What an awesome race!
Crazy that Max was keeping up with Bottas on the first half of the race, and just blasts off on the other half. Meanwhile the other RB was nowhere and eventually crashed out! Albon must be laughing 555+ inside the cockpit
I still couldn’t believe that the fastest Mercedes was Stroll, Kvyat got a podium in a Toro Rosso, and Seb moved from P20 to P2. More of German GP in the Future please Liberty
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
28th July 2019, 16:41
once you saw that awful start you knew Max would win, he has that Ham quality of generally getting away with mistakes and clashes that would either end a race or get you a penalty.
Ipsom
28th July 2019, 16:41
Lovely lovely race… icing on the cake was that the race was sponsored by Mercedes :’)
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
28th July 2019, 16:46
I had a couple of chuckles about it being the big celebration race for Mercedes myself ;)
Blaize Falconberger (@)
28th July 2019, 16:58
Also Leclerc ending up with Mercedes advertising in his face… lol
Ipsom
28th July 2019, 17:01
I laughed at that too!
That Mercedes wall just took everybody
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 17:32
“Have you seen our latest model?” :)
JohnH (@johnrkh)
28th July 2019, 16:46
@okeptl
Not really it was only Bottas. Verstappen won fair and square, but Verstappen done a Bradbury.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
28th July 2019, 16:54
Never realised you were Australian
Abe (@okeptl)
28th July 2019, 17:12
@johnrkh
Yeah I agree, Bottas wasn’t up to scratch, especially today. I also think that this was a ‘motorsport’ win, where his team’s performance and his rivals misfortune helped him. Still, only a handful drivers can pull that off if they were put in his seat, so there is some merit to his win
Jere (@jerejj)
28th July 2019, 16:56
Renault just can’t capitalize on opportunities, and in this case, especially Hulk. He maybe could’ve even had a shot at the elusive first podium-position, but still not, although neither did VB. He would’ve reduced the points-gap to his teammate by at least 12 points, and he threw it all away.
Albon’s move was questionable, though. He moved to the right long before the right-kink with Gasly still in his blind-spot, thus, causing an avoidable collision, so, a penalty wouldn’t be unjustified.
RebelAngelFloyd (@)
28th July 2019, 17:12
Spectacular race with the usual biassed Keith semantics;
Verstappen wins AFTER Leclerc an Bottas crash
Moi
28th July 2019, 17:22
Well, chronologically he is quite correct.
Inferring causality would be incorrect however, as both Leclerc and Bottas were positioned behind Verstappen when they crashed out.
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 17:32
Was Leclerc not in front at that stage, I think Verstappen had spun the lap before? It was such a crazy race I can’t remember now!
RebelAngelFloyd (@)
28th July 2019, 17:33
Exactly my point
Will Jones
28th July 2019, 21:32
So, what? Either you inferred causality where none existed in your head, or you knew that there was no causality but arrogantly thought other people aren’t as clever as you and might think that.
Neither is a good look for you.
George
28th July 2019, 17:13
Twice for Hamilton I thought. One under safety car lap.
Edvaldo
28th July 2019, 17:14
And another potential podium finish wasted by Hulkenberg.
I give up.
This guy is hopeless.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 17:21
Always a bridesmaid…
LB (@burden93)
28th July 2019, 17:34
Hopeless is harsh, but yeah – it never seems to work out for him when he gets the chance
Tango (@tango)
29th July 2019, 4:48
At some point I thought stroll was more likely to be double podium winner than Hulk to be on the podium one day
Moi
28th July 2019, 17:29
I wonder if Mercedes/Hamilton will be insecure enough to bring up the ‘Lewis was actually ill, it’s a miracle he got in the car at all’ excuse.
Dean
28th July 2019, 17:58
2019 Standings:
1 L. Hamilton 223
Mercedes
2 V. Bottas 184
Mercedes
3 M. Verstappen 162
Red Bull
4 S. Vettel 141
Ferrari
5 C. Leclerc 120
Ferrari
Has a weekend with Flu and this is the result. Not bad ehh 😛
Oconomo
28th July 2019, 18:42
@Dean
So losing 25 points ain’t bad….god, that explains your earlier comments.
Guess you were standing last row when brains were handed out, no?
David (@nvherman)
28th July 2019, 19:47
You call that not bad @dean? Your standards must be really low.
He lost 25 World Driver’s Championship points to the driver who has won two out of the last three races, and who is only 62 points behind Hamilton in third place.
This may turn out to be Hamilton’s moment of 2019 the way Germany 2018 was for Vettel. Of course that’s unlikely but it’s also not impossible.
Gabriel (@rethla)
28th July 2019, 19:56
@nvherman
Even if it is Hamilton got such a huge lead by now it most likely wont matter. Hamilton can afford to “be sick”.
@HoHum (@hohum)
28th July 2019, 23:20
@rethla, very true, Hamilton must be very close (at his win rate) to winning half of the seasons races and with 2 other winners already I calculate that those (10/11) wins alone would give him the championship. Am I wrong ?
Gabriel (@rethla)
28th July 2019, 23:31
@hohum
Well theoreticly you are wrong but there aint any realistic chance for anyone else to win unless Hamilton does a Lauda or something.
@HoHum (@hohum)
28th July 2019, 23:54
@rethla, of course, I should wait for my morning coffee to kick in before trying mental arithmetic. I had that nagging feeling I was missing something, which was why I questioned my (incomplete) logic. Thanks.
Dean
29th July 2019, 8:12
ONLY 62 points behind??! Hahaha gotta love your optimism.
Dean
29th July 2019, 8:14
Classy comment Oconomo. Keep em coming sweetheart x
F1ed (@rinodina)
28th July 2019, 17:36
Good to see Kvyat back on the podium!
Pironi the Provocateur (@pironitheprovocateur)
28th July 2019, 17:41
If I’m not mistaken, this is only the second ever podium for Toro Rosso. What a weekend for Kvyat, he’s got quite a nice story to tell to his daughter when she gets older.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 17:47
@pironitheprovocateur – nice stat! Two podiums, both in the wet. :)
BlueChris (@bluechris)
28th July 2019, 17:45
It was a great race and i really loved it.
Can someone explain why MB today sacrificed Bottas again? I mean ok they didn’t pit Hamilton to let him race and serve his penalty later when the distances between the cars would had been bigger but why don’t pit bottas to soft when the rest of the field did it?
This is means two things for me, either their main focus is always on Hamilton which is my opinion also or they have already decided that Toto’s protege Ocon is already decided to be Hamilton team mate next year so they don’t bother to do a decent work for the other side of the garage.
Bottas imo is already broken inside him because he is not stupid and he is understands everything so i don’t expect any more good performances of him till the end of season, or when the championship would had decided in favor of Hamilton they maybe let him will again.
BlueChris (@bluechris)
28th July 2019, 17:46
*win* and not will
Ipsom
28th July 2019, 17:53
yes i want someone to explain that please, the race broadcaster Im watching play the team radio at an extremely low volume.
Yloops
29th July 2019, 7:49
Completely agree, I was baffled. The Ham decision not to out was bad, but not hitting Valtteri was criminal.
Yloops
29th July 2019, 7:50
Pit*
Pitting*
Kamto (@kamto)
28th July 2019, 17:56
It was particularly great because my wife happened to watched the race withe me, which is very rare. And after the podium she said “and it’s great no one had to drink from a shoe.”
How must it feel now Dan.
Josh (@canadianjosh)
28th July 2019, 17:58
Gasly needs to be demoted in favour of one of the Toro Rosso drivers based purely on end of the year prize money they may miss out on. It’s so unbelievable to me how bad he actually is. He was so terrible today if it wasn’t for the safety cars Max would have lapped him at the 3/4 mark in the race.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
28th July 2019, 18:09
@canadianjosh I’m with you.
I have nothing against the guy as a driver or anything but that seat in a damn fine racing car is being wasted.
At least give a test driver the chance to see if they can do a better job.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 18:23
At the very least, Red Bull should ask Ferrari to pay Gasly’s salary, seeing as how Gasly is as much a contributor to Ferrari’s #2 WCC standing as anyone in red.
Matthijs (@matthijs)
28th July 2019, 19:18
@phylyp Wow harsh but correct!
MaddMe (@)
28th July 2019, 19:04
I can see Kvyat returning to the senior team, if not for Hungary, for Spa…
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
28th July 2019, 18:27
What a rollercoaster – I’m frankly shocked that Williams weren’t podium contenders during the race :-)
Did the safety car lead the race for the most laps?
Gabriel (@rethla)
28th July 2019, 19:20
Even with this crazy race and Williams new upgrades they amazingly managed to occupy the last two spots basicly the entire race. Thats a feat of its own.
Moi
28th July 2019, 22:13
The safety car was definately the most consistent and error-free Mercedes out there
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
29th July 2019, 2:18
Ha-ha :-)
Tango (@tango)
29th July 2019, 4:52
Weirdly, that honor got to be stroll’s
David (@davidjwest)
28th July 2019, 19:14
This season could well be like 2009 with Brawn/Mercedes dominating the first half and then Red Bull developing their car and bringing themselves back into contention………
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th July 2019, 19:15
Driver of the day (courtesy: reddit).
hamiledon
28th July 2019, 20:39
Another brilliant drive from dutch driver.
jowen7448 (@jowen7448)
29th July 2019, 7:43
One of the things I have really enjoyed about the last few races that is making me appreciate the quieter engines a little is just how much you can hear the crowd react. Listening to the crowd roar as Verstappen took places in Austria and again in Germany with Vettel on Stroll an Kvyat was fantastic and for me a big addition to watching the race from home. I’m not really a Vettel fan but couldn’t help but smile watching him overtake when you get the emotion of the crowd along with it.
Dean
29th July 2019, 8:11
ONLY 62 points??? Hahahaha
Behave yourself