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Lewis Hamilton has won the 2015 British Grand Prix in a 3rd consecutive win. A dramatic race saw Williams initially looking to take 1 and 2, with a magnificent start by Felipe Massa, followed closely by teammate Valtteri Bottas. However, an ever-increasing lead by Hamilton became insurmountable, compounded by seemingly poor pit strategy from the Williams team in addition to not allowing Bottas to pursue an attacking strategy against teammate Massa.
Williams’ Massa and Bottas finish in 4th and 5th respectively after being 1-2 for a significant portion during the early laps of the race.
Fernando Alonso, who has had a very bad racing season, finds himself in the points for the first time this year –he finishes in 10th, and the single point, described by the Spaniard as a “free point”, is his first of the season.
Ferrari have got a podium spot again in what seems like a routine for 2015. Sebastian Vettel, who at one point was as low as 9th, managed to finish the race in 3rd. Teammate Raikkonen finishes with points, in 8th position behind the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg. Both Force Indias have finished with points, with Sergio Perez in 9th.
Force India had a good outing this race. Both Sergio Perez and recent Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenberg finished with points, with Hulkenberg in 7th and Perez in 9th. Force India stick to their 5th position among the constructors.
Several drivers crashed out today. A Lotus-McLaren collision saw both Grosjean and Maldonado crash out, as did Jenson Button. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull retired, as did both Toro Rosso drivers – Max Verstappen out early on, his teammate Carlos Sainz out later in the race. Felipe Nasr of Sauber did not start the race at all following engine issues.
Mercedes are invincible, and still not entirely so. Although this chalks up yet another double podium for the team and another Hamilton win, Williams gave the team a significant challenge early on in the race, with Massa leading the pack, followed closely by teammate Bottas. Their pit strategy was lauded, and rightfully so. Pitting at a sweet spot during lap 43, Hamilton took the lead, expanded it and held on to it till the end.
Williams’ team strategy was widely decried, and it appears that this was not without reason. Bottas was instructed by his team strategists to initially ‘hold off’ and let Massa keep his lead, and this was perhaps one of the factors that led to Williams’ eventual undoing. The Finn came very close to overtaking his Brazilian teammate, but was unsuccessful in doing so.
Rain made sporadic appearances this race, but was not heavy enough to cause any significant change to the race at all. Drivers faced minor drizzles, but this had no real effect.
Williams’ driving was excellent today – it appears to be their strategy that has let them down heavily at Silverstone. With a seemingly solid lead over Mercedes, the British team looked poised to take the win and second spot. Although they suffered an unfortunate loss today, Massa and Bottas have shown that Williams can give the Silver Arrows a strong challenge in the races to come.
Hamilton has now consolidated his lead in the drivers’ championships: he is now at 194, 17 points over teammate Rosberg, who earlier was only 10 points behind the Briton.
Sebastian Vettel remains third in the drivers’ standings, and at 135 is 42 points behind Rosberg. Ferrari also keep their 2nd spot among the constructors, with what looks to be an insurmountable lead with Mercedes 160 points ahead of them.
The mid-season Mercedes engine upgrades have reflected definitively in driver performance, with Williams looking increasingly stronger with each race. They have already denied Ferrari podium spots twice this season, and looked poised to do so this race as well.
Sauber had a double whammy, with Felipe Nasr not starting the race, while his teammate Marcus Ericsson finished without points in 11th, just behind Fernando Alonso. Fortunes were marginally reversed for Manor-Marussia, with both Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi completing the race.
The Hungarian Grand Prix will be held in two weeks’ time at Hungaroring.
