Lewis Hamilton dominated the German Grand Prix to move into a 19-point lead in the championship over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. However, it looked like the pendulum was swinging back in Rosberg’s favour as he returned home to Hockenheim, having dominated practice and beaten Hamilton to pole position after overcoming an electrical glitch that threatened his session.
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After also being hit with penalties at the British and Austrian GPs, it’s the third time this month that Rosberg has been penalised by the race stewards although on this occasion the German had valid reason to believe he had been harshly treated. “I was enjoying it”, Verstappen said.
The German finished behind Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen after being unable to make up the lost time. The Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel will be in the third row. Ricciardo briefly ran second before Verstappen – who started fourth – switched to the outside and ran off the track to snatch the position, narrowly avoiding contact. “The last few races have been good for me so if I can continue that form I shall be in good shape for a nice relax over the summer break”.
“It was awesome to hear the fans cheering for me after my run”, he continued.
“I had a great start”.
Reigning world champion Hamilton took full advantage of the poor start by Rosberg, who also received a five second pit-stop penalty for an over-aggressive passing move, to deliver a flawless drive.
“That was a hard qualifying for me!” So, I really owe it to them.
“It should be a good day for Mercedes”.
Rosberg made his third and final stop, with his penalty, after 44 laps, Hamilton following three laps later. But he responded with a bold and dramatic lap in the final minutes of a tense session to secure the prime starting slot and a chance to regain the leadership of the drivers’ championship.
Hamilton, who faces 67 laps and 190.42 miles of all-out effort today, added: “Winning last week in Hungary after a less than straightforward weekend was a great feeling”. So it just cut completely the engine, just at the end of the lap.
“It doesn’t mean the race isn’t there to win tomorrow”.
‘Big thank you to the team, who did an wonderful job.
Hamilton was left kicking himself on Saturday night after a mistake in qualifying paved the way for Rosberg to claim pole.
After the race, Ricciardo thanked his parents who had travelled to Germany to see his milestone unfold. “Of course, every race you approach to win”. Rosberg threw his vehicle up the inside of the Red Bull at Turn 6 and deep into the corner, forcing Verstappen wide and off the track on the exit. Ferrari is winless after 11 races this year, with 10 remaining. And things didn’t get any better for him after that. He couldn’t do it and in three laps Ricciardo reduced the deficit from 2.3 seconds to 0.55s.
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“We might have different tires available for us for the race and hopefully that makes it interesting”, Ricciardo said.
