Hamilton triumphs in Vettel's living room

In the lead, Vettel and his Ferrari came off the wet track with 15 laps to go in front of the horrified eyes of his fans and crashed into the barriers with his Red Goddess. In a hectic and chaotic final phase, to make matters worse for Vettel, his World Cup opponent Hamilton crowned another splendid comeback with victory. Two weeks after the Hesse's triumph in Hamilton's empire in Silverstone, the Brit paid him back and took the championship lead again with 17 points. Just 24 hours earlier, the 33-year-old had kneeled on his car in disbelief after the Mercedes let him down.

Over and over: Sebastian Vettel is taken out of the gravel bed. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Vettel was already standing at the command post in team uniform and high-fived team boss Maurizio Arrivabene in disappointment while Hamilton drove towards an unexpected victory. Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen crossed the finish line behind the Briton.

Vettel started the 77th race of the premier motorsport class in Germany from an ideal starting position. Thanks to his fifth pole this year - number 55 in his career overall - the four-time world champion went into the Grand Prix as the leader. Vettel got away well and also left Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Bottas further behind in second place. Last time Hockenheimring Vettel gradually increased his lead over the Finn. The German fans, not least in the Motodrom, a section of the track with a thrilling factor, liked it. Of course Vettel did too, after all, his birthplace Heppenheim is only 50 kilometers away. However, the contract for the Hockenheimring expires after this Grand Prix. There is no race there in 2019; It is questionable whether things will continue again in 2020.

Meanwhile, Hamilton moved forward. “As always, I will drive as if my life depends on it,” he said before the start. As was the case two weeks ago at his home race in Silverstone, a catch-up was required. After Hamilton fell far behind in England due to a collision at the start with Kimi Räikkönen, the Brit literally shot through the field with his Silver Arrow and came in second. Hamilton's incredible comeback This time, a hydraulic problem slowed down the defending champions in qualifying. Hamilton had to start the eleventh race of the season from 14th place. “The plan is to catch Sebastian,” said the 33-year-old before the red lights went out. And Hamilton made up place after place. After 14 laps he was already in fifth place.

At the front, Vettel drove a confident Grand Prix, the 31-year-old set the pace. On lap 26 he had a fresh tire compound put on his Ferrari. Vettel came onto the track behind teammate Räikkönen, but stayed ahead of fifth-placed Hamilton. The race was over for Daniel Ricciardo shortly afterwards. The two-time season winner had to retire his Red Bull early due to engine failure while he was in sixth place. It was his fourth failure this year. “That’s stupid, I’m wasting time.” After Ricciardo's stable rival Max Verstappen also came into the pits, Raikkonen took the lead ahead of Vettel. Behind him was Hamilton, who, unlike the Scuderia duo, had not yet changed his tires. “That's stupid, I'm losing time,” Vettel complained over the radio that he had to drive behind Räikkönen and his tires were affected. The German assured that he could drive a second faster than the Finn. “Kimi, you are on a different strategy and we would like you not to hold up Seb,” said the Ferrari pit. On lap 39 Vettel was over and was back in first place. Shortly afterwards, Hamilton's car got fresh tires. Rain causes explosiveness The onset of rain initially caused tension in the final phase. Come into the pits to change tires again or stay outside? That was the question. Part of the front wing of Vettel's Ferrari then flew off. Things got really hectic. To make matters worse for the German Formula 1 fans, Vettel slid into the guardrail in the final phase. What a disappointment! After a safety car phase, Hamilton achieved an unexpected victory.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Hamilton triumphs in Vettel's living room

Sebastian Vettel was pounding furiously on his steering wheel with both fists and didn't want to believe it. The Ferrari driver lost his first victory in the home race at the Hockenheimring and also lost the championship lead to Mercedes beneficiary Lewis Hamilton.

Suggestions

Comments (0)