Silverstone F1: Lewis Hamilton wins 2021 British Grand Prix after crash with Max Verstappen – results explained

Lewis Hamilton has won the British Grand Prix, following an eventful 52 laps at the Silverstone race course.

In the first lap of the main event, British Mercedes driver Hamilton shunted into current Formula One leader Max Verstappen, forcing him out of the race.

Hamiton was penalised for the crash, but this did not have much impact, as he stole the race from Charles Leclerc in the 50th lap in front of over 140,000 spectators.

Here is what happened during the Sunday event, as Hamilton chased another Grand Prix win.

How did Hamilton win the race?

Hamilton was forced to endure a 10-second penalty as he entered the pit for a tyre change, after he forced this year’s leading driver Max Verstappen off the course in the first lap.

The Red Bull driver has been taken to hospital to be checked over after he crashed, despite walking (albeit with a slight limp) away from the car.

Verstappen’s car lost a wheel as he was thrown off the track following the collision, which took place on a bend as Hamilton attempted to overtake him.

Hamilton was then in fourth place, over 10 seconds behind Leclerc and trailing young British driver, McLaren’s Lando Norris.

From the final segment, it was apparent that Hamilton could still win on home turf as he ranked the fastest lap of the race up to that point, at 1m 29sec.

By the 49th lap, Hamilton had raced into second place and was less than a second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Dutchman Leclerc had held first place since the first lap, but Hamilton was hot on his wheels and it was apparent the final two laps could make all the difference.

In the 50th lap, Hamilton overtook Leclerc, denying the 23year-old of a grand prix win.

Instead, Hamilton achieved his eighth Silverstone first place.

There was a 0.75 second time difference between the two racers as they crossed the chequered flag, a comfortable win for Formula One’s all-time world champion.

How many wins has Hamilton now won?

Lewis Hamilton has now won 99 Grand Prix, making him the most decorated Grand Prix driver in Formula One.

He entered Formula One in 2007, driving for McLaren and winning 21 Grand Prix’s before moving to Mercedes in 2013.

He has been Mercedes' leading driver for nine years, in which he has won 78 Grand Prix races.

Despite his win today (18 July) he is still not on track to be World Champion this year, as Verstappen leads with 182 points. Hamilton tails him in second place with 175 points.

Hamilton received 25 points following his win today.

Christian Horner, boss of Red Bull racing, told commentators after the race that Hamilton’s penalty was “insufficient” and a “hollow victory.”

The team are said to be asking for a race ban for Hamilton in order to penalise him properly.

When is the next race?

The next Grand Prix will take place in Budapest, Hungary, at the Magyar Nagydíj race track.

The F1 event will be on Sunday, 1 August at 2pm.

Should Hamilton win at this event, he will be within touching distance of another World Championship title, having won the last four consecutive world titles and seven overall.

When does Formula One finish?

The Great British Grand Prix is 16th of 23 Grand Prix races in the 2021 Formula One season.

The final race will take place on 12 December in Abu Dhabi.