Double delight Champs again
Lewis Hamilton regained the championship lead in unexpected and dramatic fashion yesterday, winning the German Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel crashed while leading near the end.
However, Hamilton, who equalled Formula One great Michael Schumacher with four wins in Germany, was then summoned to speak to stewards to explain a move late in the race.
It came as Kiwi driver Brendon Hartley claimed a championship point with a 10th place finish at the Hockenheimring.
It was just his second point of the season. Heavy rain played havoc late in the race as Vettel misjudged a basic entry into a turn and slid over the gravel into the barriers with 15 laps to go.
The four-time Formula One champion started from pole position and seemed in control. He was angry with himself, kicking the gravel in frustration as he stepped out his car.
‘‘I threw it away. It was my mistake,’’ Vettel said.
‘‘I was a tiny bit too late on the brakes, locked the rears and I couldn’t turn.
‘‘It wasn’t the biggest mistake I’ve done, but one of the most costly ones.’’
His mishap opened the door wide open for Hamilton, who is 17 points clear of Vettel after trailing by eight beforehand.
‘‘I’ve never had a race like this,’’ Hamilton said. ‘‘I think this is right up there.’’
Hamilton met stewards for crossing the line between pit entry and the track. The incident came while the safety car was deployed following Vettel’s crash.
Hamilton decided against pitting at the last second, and crossed the grass to rejoin the track – a move prohibited under governing body FIA’s rules.
Earlier, not even Vettel’s crash could distract him.
‘‘I didn’t think about it. I was just trying to stay on the track,’’ Hamilton said.
‘‘I didn’t give it a second thought.’’
The British driver was fourth at the time of the crash, having started from 14th on the grid because of a hydraulic problem in qualifying.
‘‘You’ve always got to believe. I just wanted to stay collected, stay calm,’’ said Hamilton, adding defiantly: ‘‘For those who don’t know me, now you do.’’
Valtteri Bottas started and finished second on a great day for Mercedes, with Kimi Raikkonen taking third on a bad one for Ferrari.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull, but team-mate Daniel Ricciardo retired after rising from last on the grid to seventh.
German driver Nico Hulkenberg was fifth for Renault.
Vettel’s incident led to a safety car coming out for several laps.