Epic race: Verstappen wins after 5 stops – Vettel thrives

In the rainy madness of Hockenheim, Sebastian Vettel, who comes from nearby Heppenheim, narrowly missed out on his longed-for Formula 1 home victory after a breathtaking race to catch up. The Ferrari driver, who started from 20th place on the grid, was only beaten by the furious Dutchman Max Verstappen in the Red Bull at what was possibly the last German Grand Prix on Sunday, who stopped in the pit lane five times.

“I’m just happy” Sebastian Vettel “What a race. “I’m just happy,” said Vettel, grinning. In the action-packed Hockenheim spectacle with four safety car phases, Russian Daniil Kwjat finished sensationally third in the Toro Rosso. For the first time, no Mercedes on the podium Mercedes, on the other hand, experienced a disaster in its 200th Formula 1 race. World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton only crossed the finish line in eleventh place in the Silver Arrow after several slip-ups, but was subsequently moved to ninth place and thus into the points, as both Alfa Romeos were removed from the rankings by the jury ( see own message ). Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas even retired after an accident shortly before the end. Team boss Toto Wolff banged his fist on his pit desk in frustration.

Charles Leclerc didn't bring his Ferrari to the finish. © AP / Jan Woitas

Verstappen, on the other hand, kept his perspective and his nerves. In changeable weather and in the midst of wild tire poker, the 21-year-old overcame a botched start and took his second win of the season with a gala ride. Behind them, Vettel managed to limit the damage furiously. Just the day before, the 32-year-old had been deeply frustrated when he was unable to take part in the time hunt because of a problem with the air supply to his car's turbocharger. So he had to start the race from the very back. This is how the race went: The race management decided to initially send the field around the course for three formation laps behind the safety car. “It’s not even wet,” Hamilton radioed to the pits. And so shortly afterwards the 20 pilots were allowed to line up at the starting lights. Hamilton easily defended his pole position, but second-placed Verstappen couldn't get going. Bottas promptly took second place in the second Silver Arrow. On the anniversary of 125 years of motorsport at Mercedes, a start according to the car manufacturer's wishes.

Vettel didn't hang around for long either, gaining six places in the first two laps. When the Mexican Sergio Perez drove his Racing Point racing car into the wall and the safety car was deployed again, Vettel drove to the pits at lightning speed and got mixed-weather tires. A clever move. Most of the drivers in front of him followed with a lap delay, so the Hessian was able to work his way further forward. After eight laps he was seventh. But then the worries started again. Like the day before, the turbo in his car didn't seem to deliver normal power. Because his tires also deteriorated, the Heppenheimer's race to catch up was slowed down.

At the top, Hamilton had built up a safety cushion, behind him Bottas and Verstappen dueled for second place. Then things finally became chaotic. The first drivers, including Vettel, got dry tires. Shortly afterwards the rain started again. First Leclerc slipped off the slope, then Hamilton briefly lost control of his Silver Arrow. The Brit damaged his front wing and illegally shortened the route to the pits. He had to wait forever in front of the garage before the repair work was done. This also prevented colleague Bottas from changing tires. Lewis Hamilton ended up in the barriers. © APA/afp / CHRISTOF STACHE

The safety car was in action again. Those who benefited from the turbulence were Verstappen and Nico Hülkenberg, who were now leading the race ahead of Bottas. Hamilton placed fifth, but soon found out about the five-second penalty for the forbidden turn into the garage.

The crime thriller continued in the final phase. Hamilton spun again and fell out of the points. Bottas crashed into the wall. The safety car came out one last time - and then Vettel took the podium place that was no longer thought possible. The 32-year-old from Vettel, who comes from nearby Heppenheim, almost fought his way from last place on the grid at the rainy German Grand Prix to the front and only had to admit defeat to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen from the Netherlands. Third place surprisingly went to the Russian Daniil Kvjat in the Toro Rosso.

For the first time this season, Mercedes failed to make it onto the podium. The Finn Valtteri Bottas crashed into the barrier on lap 57 and had to end the Grand Prix early. British world champion Lewis Hamilton also had major problems in an eventful race and had to settle for eleventh place. Even without points, the defending champion remains in the overall lead in the World Cup standings after eleven of 21 races this season.

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Epic race: Verstappen wins after 5 stops – Vettel thrives

What a race: Sebastian Vettel races from last place on the grid in Hockenheim to the podium. Only a Flying Dutchman is better than a Ferrari driver.

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