Verstappen promoted to second at British Grand Prix

Max Verstappen on the podium at Silverstone.Max Verstappen on the podium at Silverstone.
Max Verstappen on the podium at Silverstone.
Max Verstappen was promoted to second place at the British Grand Prix on Sunday after Nico Rosberg was served with a 10-second penalty after the race.

The Dutchman picked up his second podium in as many weeks at Silverstone, having crossed the line third at Red Bull Racing’s second home race after the Austrian GP last time out.

But a radio message broadcast to Rosberg, advising him on his gearbox problems late in the race, was deemed illegal by the stewards, led by 1992 World Champion Nigel Mansell, and a penalty was handed down to the German.

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Verstappen was the best of the rest behind the Mercedes duo all weekend, qualifying third on the grid. After starting behind the safety car, Lewis Hamilton built up a comfortable lead in the drying conditions, but Verstappen was making ground on Rosberg.

Max Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at SilverstoneMax Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at Silverstone
Max Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at Silverstone

A powerhouse move around the outside of the German in the Becketts complex send the Silverstone crowd into raptures as Verstappen snatched second place, but a switch on to dry tyres seemed to favour the Mercedes car, and Rosberg soon recaptured the place.

But a problem with seventh gear meant Rosberg’s attempts to catch home-crowd favourite Hamilton were short lived, and he had to fend off Verstappen in the closing stages.

Verstappen took third in the end, but was promoted to second hours after the race.

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“I felt like I had great pace today so once the track dried up I just tried to have a go,” he said. “Once I passed Nico I felt like I was closing on Lewis but then he pitted for slicks.

Max Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at SilverstoneMax Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at Silverstone
Max Verstappen seemed to thrive in the wet conditions at Silverstone

“We maybe stayed out one lap too long but in the end the race was great and the car was working really well. I had a great battle again with Nico afterwards but as it dried the Mercedes just had too much speed on the straights. I tried to keep up and there was no pressure from behind so I just concentrated on doing my own race.

“The move on the outside at Becketts was fun, he was finding the inside so I thought let’s try the outside. It was a risky move for sure. The car had the grip and I had the feeling so it worked well. There’s a bit of run off there anyway so I had room if it went wrong.

“The fans here were great, I couldn’t believe how loud they were and they really supported me. Understandably they were behind Lewis but they got behind me loads also which was great to see.”

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