Rain makes for a chaotic and exciting race at the Hockenheim ring: Many drivers end up in the gravel bed, both Mercedes cars. The last formula 1 race in Germany, Max’s verse wins the tap.
Special circumstances require special action. “I’ve kept‘ from time to time to Hand out, to see how strong the rain was. And I looked at the audience, whether the umbrellas were still out there, because no one wants to be really wet,” said Sebastian Vettel, his tyre tactics after a turbulent rain race. “It was very difficult to assess. You can’t really see, it is dry, it’s wet.”
“Rain God,” Vettel had a highly emotional weekend of racing at the final formula 1 race in Germany. A Problem with the turbo-charger had stopped in Qualifying, he had to start from the 20. and so that last place start. The weather could help”,” had Vettel said before the Start, “the rain will bring the race a mess,” predicted the four-time world champion.
The Safety Car moved before the Start
Two hours before the race, a continued strong rainfall, all the drivers started on wet tyres in the starting line-up. After the warm-up phase over several laps with the Safety Car, the race direction decided to go for a normal, standing Start, it was the prelude to a turbulent in the Afternoon.
World champion and current overall leader Lewis Hamilton held the top scores, behind it, the field disappeared in a cloud of Spray. In this Vettel worked already in the first round to six places and was in 14th place, made in the following round, two more positions well, then an accident of Sergio Perez called the Safety Car on the track.
Vettel came into the pits and took the Intermediate tyres because the track was less wet, and almost the entire field hit during the Safety Car Phase the same decision. First of all, Vettel was now easily more places, but the eighth circuit was suddenly first: The Ferrari was unable to pass Kimi Raikkonen.
Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc landed in the gravel bed
And while Vettel stuck to about the half of the race in the midfield solid, built on Hamilton at the top of his lead in front of team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen – but also for the British Grand Prix was still a nasty turn. First, however, Vettel’s team-mate Charles Leclerc lost control and came in the gravel bed to Stand, once again, the Safety Car moved.
Moments later, Hamilton started to Slide, lost among the cheers of the German Fans his front wing in a contact with the gang and had luck with it. He was able to continue driving, and the accident happened immediately entrance in front of the boxes. So the Englishman could get a new nose, losing a Minute and was only Fifth. In addition, he had abbreviated in the driveway and suffered a Five-second penalty.
Ended up in the gravel, but was able to continue: Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes
At the top now: Verstappen in front of the second German pilot Nico Hülkenberg, the in 168. Race of his career was suddenly in sight of his first Podium – and only minutes later, also in the gang landed. Again, the audience got to see the Safety Car, the field advanced.
Sixth podium finish for Sebastian Vettel
Now that no more rain was expected, changed the field on Slicks, Hamilton had to serve his penalty and fell back behind Vettel. The turbulent final phase was opened. Verstappen was by a large margin in the lead, behind the crazy race had rinsed the Russians Daniil Kwjat from Russia and the canadian Lance Stroll on the places two and three.
Vettel drove some of the fastest laps, Hamilton was opposed to a screwdriver, the cheering crowd, the Briton landed at the end of the field. And, a little later, Bottas went off at the same place, the crowd cheering again, and Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff cursed in the Box in front of him. The last Time the Safety Car came in, and as the race was released again, before flew Vettel up to second place.
Max Verstappen celebrates his seventh formula 1 victory of his young career
It is his sixth podium place in this season, this was to be here at the Hockenheim ring but fought ester: “The has extremely a lot of fun, the conditions were incredibly difficult,” said Vettel, the fall behind Hamilton, Bottas and verse in the world Cup overall standings, finished Fourth. “Now I’m just happy.”