Hamilton claims 8th British GP after collision with Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton revived his Formula One title defence by winning the British Grand Prix for the eighth time yesterday despite a 10-second penalty after he collided with Max Verstappen, knocking the championship leader out of the race.
Roared on by a crowd of more than 140,000, Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen on Copse corner on the first lap, instead sending the Red Bull careening off the track and into the barrier.
Charles Leclerc grabbed the lead but, despite adding 10 seconds to a pit stop, Mercedes star Hamilton caught the Ferrari and overtook at Copse on lap 50 of the 52-lap race.
Verstappen, meanwhile, was taken to hospital "for further precautionary tests", said Red Bull.
"Thank God he's walked away unscathed," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told British TV.
"That was a really nasty accident. It's like a professional foul.
"Full blame lays on Hamilton, who should never have been in that position."
During the pause in the action, the teams and drivers involved lobbied race organisers and the stewards both in person and on the radio. - AFP
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