Silverstone - The African Mirror

Jul

2023

Verstappen takes Red Bull’s 11th win in a row

MAX Verstappen won the British Grand Prix to stretch his Formula One lead to 99 points as unbeaten Red Bull equalled McLaren's 1988 record run of 11 victories in a row. McLaren's Lando Norris finished second in front of a roaring 160,000-strong home crowd at Silverstone, with fellow Briton and seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton third for Mercedes after starting seventh. "Eleven in a row. That's pretty crazy," said Verstappen over the team radio after what was also his sixth win in a row and eighth in 10 races this season. The double world champion bagged the fastest lap bonus…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton chases 99th win at home Grand Prix

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SILVERSTONE circuit provided an atmosphere like no other as North-London born Lewis Hamilton breathed life into the Formula one World Championship fight. After receiving a 10-second penalty at the start of the race a collision with pole-sitter Max Verstappen, Hamilton fought back resiliently, passing Charles Leclerc on lap 50. Leclerc had led every lap of the race after the restart following the incident between Hamilton and Verstappen on lap one. The second sector altercation between Verstappen and Hamilton triggered a red flag due to severe damage to the tyre barrier. Leclerc led off the line maintaining his lead…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Sprint qualifying claims first victim

OTHER

FORMULA One’s newly revised sprint qualifying race provided late Saturday entertainment - to the benefit of pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The fiery Red Bull shot through a cannon off the start line to lead championship rival Lewis Hamilton into turn 1. The flying Dutchman retained position after a nervous first lap and will start the British Grand Pirx from the start of the grid. Verstappen’s teammate Perez, after being passed by Norris on lap one, spun out later in the race. Perez, a disappointed figure, earned the title of biggest loser from the inaugural event with the one of fastest cars…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

It’s all systems go for Perez and Red Bull

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO MAN met the machine. The machine was both powerful and colourful. The acquaintances took a few laps and the man pronounced himself ready for probably the biggest challenge of his Formula One career. After his dramatic move to Red Bull, a stunt that shocked F1 fans and saved his career, Sergio Perez finally got behind the wheel of the red, yellow and blue car. And while Perez will race for Red Bull in the newly-built 2021 car, he had to use the 2018 car, one that was driven by the man he replaced - Alex Albon - to…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Verstappen claims first win of the season

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RED Bull’s brave strategy paid off as Max Verstappen stormed past the chequered flag in first place after a fantastic drive from fourth in the British Grand Prix, a race that celebrated Formula One’s 70 years. Both Mercedes’ experienced tyre issues and found themselves responding to the quicker Red Bull, finishing in second and third. A late pit stop from last week’s race winner Lewis Hamilton saw him pass teammate Valtteri Bottas, who started on pole, with five laps to go. Ferrari experienced a mixed outing at Silverstone. Charles Leclerc endured a tough race to come home a…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Lewis Hamilton’s drama-filled home win

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton won a drama-filled home F1 British Grand Prix race on three tyres after he experienced a spectacular blow out of his left front, half way through the last lap. Hamilton, who led from pole, brought the car home on a wing and a prayer, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, on fresh tyres, breathing down his neck. Verstappen came within six seconds of snatching victory from Hamilton. Tyre strategy by the teams and management by the drivers, was at the heart of the Silverstone race, with Hamilton, teammate Valterri Bottas and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Mercedes look to continue winning run

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FORMULA One makes a stop at Silverstone for the first of two rounds at the British circuit. This will be the first time that the UK will hold back-to-back F1 events over consecutive race weekends. The first round at Silverstone also marks the first race in a second set of successive triple-headers in the revised Formula One calendar. Mercedes arrive at Silverstone as favourites after claiming victory in Austria, through Bottas in the first round and Hamilton in the second, with the latter winning again in the Hungarian GP. “We've had a good start to the season: we…