02/08/2020
NEWS STORY
Reflecting on the euphoric scenes twelve months ago, as race-winner Lewis Hamilton enjoyed rock star adulation from his adoring fans, who, in their wildest dreams, would have predicted that twelve months on the actors would play out their parts in an empty theatre.
Along with Monza, Silverstone is the beating heart of Formula One and its fans, and here, more than anywhere else, their absence is felt hardest.
While the sport needed to be up and running again, despite the on-track heroics, there is something not quite right as races play out as if on a Scalextric track for which the owner never got around to buying grandstands, far less filling them with people.
Oh how we miss that sense of anticipation, that roar that greeted each heroic move, that gasp at every near miss. The banners, flags and air horns and, yes... even that oh so pervasive smell of fried onions.
That said, barring a major upset, wherever they are watching the race from this afternoon, Hamilton fans will only be able to laud their hero by shouting at their TV screens... or devices.
To put it simply, this is Mercedes race to lose.
Yes, Lewis had a nightmare Q2 - and Q1 wasn't exactly smooth going - but when it mattered, when it really, really mattered, the Briton performed a psychological reset and subsequently broke Valtteri Bottas' heart.
Yes, the Finn can still pull off a surprise this afternoon, but in all honesty he looked pretty broken after Lewis' two stunners yesterday, by which we mean the two record shattering laps as opposed to the sort of headline one used to see in The Sun.
The 420 metre (0.261 mile) run to the first corner is probably the Finn's best chance of winning today, and while he is known for his scintillating starts his poor getaway in Hungary cost him dearly.
Despite the obvious advantage enjoyed by Mercedes, Max Verstappen will give it 100%, even though his is a lost cause. While he is sure to claim the odd victory here and there, the RB16 is not the car to mount a sustained attack.
Poor Alex Albon has had a difficult weekend, and one can only hope that along with his face mask he finds some good ear plugs and thick skin in order to shut out the media pressure that is already ramping up.
At the best of times these guys are under enormous pressure - and many of them are still in their early twenties - without the need of a Helmut Marko breathing down their necks, backed-up by a media seeking a 'good story'.
The kid has talent, what he must do is shut out the crap surrounding him and focus.
And talking of crap...
While Charles Leclerc did well to claim fourth on the grid, Ferrari looks set to be in for another long afternoon.
Sebastian Vettel, starting from tenth, has had a torrid weekend and the signs are that it won't get any better this afternoon.
There are no wins on the horizon for the Maranello outfit, and in all honesty from here on in it is going to be about saving face, which means fending off the likes of Racing Point and McLaren.
And this is where it gets really interesting, for the midfield is once again likely to be where it's all happening.
Norris, inspired by his home crowd (!?!), starts fifth alongside the equally ambitious Stroll. Like the Mercedes duo, these two should be worth watching on the first lap.
Then there's Sainz, Ricciardo, Ocon, Gasly and Albon... you couldn't script this stuff better. Then again maybe you could, you could add in Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg.
Sadly, Russell looks to be set nipping at the heels of those previously mentioned, while watching the Haas and Alfa Romeo duos battling in his mirrors.
Over the years we have witnessed some thrilling battles at Silverstone, and though today appears to be a foregone conclusion the circuit can still spring a surprise.
Amidst talk of a second wave or the coronavirus - though in this writer's view we are merely still experiencing the first wave which wasn't dealt with correctly - though we miss the sights and sounds of the fans... even those bloody fried onions, there is no doubt that the circuit is changing.
First fans were banished from the infield in order to make more room for the hospitality crowd, now we lose more space to a hotel and luxury apartments.
Seeing as the Silverstone management seems so intent on driving out the real fans, perhaps it should take some time out this afternoon to witness the dystopian future of the sport should they get their apparent wish.
In terms of tyre strategy, theoretically the quickest is a one-stopper, assuming that temperatures remain similar to Saturday. The fastest way is to start on the softs for 18 to 22 laps and then move onto the hards until the end.
Second-fastest is a two-stopper, also starting on the softs. After 16 to 18 laps switch to the softs again for another 16 to 18 lap stint, before going onto the mediums until the end. Hards can be used as an alternative to the mediums: either for the middle or the final stint.
Third-quickest is a different one-stopper: starting on the mediums for 21 to 24 laps, then hards to the end. It's not advisable to do a soft-medium one-stopper, as tyre wear then becomes too marginal.
To add some spice, Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc and Stroll - the first five - are starting on mediums while the rest of the top ten are on softs.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers head out, no doubt, after last week's antics, Max will be keen to keep it on the black stuff.
Air temperature is 20.8 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41.3 degrees.
There appears to be some sort of issue with Hulkenberg, mechanics working on the car in the Racing Point garage. With the pitlane closed the German is going to have to start from the pitlane. Not the fairy-tale start he will have been looking for.
Problems for Hamilton also it would appear... "my drink bottle is leaking," he reports, "out of the top."
The drivers gather for the anti-racism gesture which has been organised by the FIA and F1 following the shambles witnessed in Hungary.
Having attended the gesture, Hulkenberg heads back to his garage, however it is not looking good for the German. Indeed, the car is pushed to one side, the Hulk will not be starting.
"Gutted, absolutely gutted," tweets the team, while Red Bull tweets: "We can confirm that both drivers have arrived safely on the grid."
Other than Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc and Stroll, Gasly, Albon, Magnussen, Giovinazzi, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Latifi, Kvyat and Russell start on the mediums. Just Norris, Sainz, Ricciardo, Ocon and Vettel start on the softs.
They head off on the warm-up lap, all getting away.
Track temperature is now 43 degrees and the air temperature 21 degrees.
Hamilton takes his place on the grid as his rivals slot into place behind him.
They're away!
Check out our Race Day gallery from Silverstone, here.
Heading into Turn 1 the Mercedes pair are neck-and-neck, with Verstappen in hot pursuit. Into Abbey, Bottas has the inside line but Hamilton the speed.
Through the Arena complex Leclerc and Verstappen battle while Stroll is alongside Norris with Sainz and Ricciardo right behind.
As Verstappen and Leclerc continue to scrap, Norris keeps a watching eye.
Maybe he's paying too much attention to the pair ahead, for the Briton is caught napping by his teammate in Luffield while Ricciardo gets past on the run to Copse
At the end of lap 1, it's: Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Ricciardo, Norris, Stroll, Ocon and Vettel.
Out come the yellows as Magnussen is off and in the gravel at Club after clashing with Albon. The Haas is missing a wheel. Replay shows the two clashed wheels - Magnussen's right-rear and Albon's left-front - quite hard. Indeed, Red Bull carefully checks the Thai driver's car as he drives past.
The safety car is deployed as Magnussen's car is removed from the gravel trap.
"Are you OK Kevin, are you OK?" "Yeh, good," comes the solemn reply.
The field continues behind the safety car, which withdraws at the end of lap 5.
Hamilton disappears into the distance while Ricciardo resumes battle with Sainz.
Stroll makes a sneaky move on Ocon to take 8th, with Norris his next target as the McLaren driver shadows Ricciardo.
Clearly miffed, Ocon comes back at Stroll but the Canadian slams the door.
Albon pits at the end of lap 6. He rejoins last on hards as the stewards announce that they will investigate the earlier incident involving the Red Bull driver.
Gasly is all over the back of Vettel, with Kvyat right behind. The Russian started from the back row remember.
Verstappen is told that it is in Club where he's losing out most.
Giovinazzi is told he's doing a "nice job", indeed the Italian is running 12th and hard on the heels of Gasly having passed Kvyat.
Having appeared to ease off, Hamilton goes quickest in S2 as he enjoys a 1.6s comfort cushion. Bottas is 3.6s ahead of Verstappen who is 6s clear of Leclerc.
Kvyat re-passes Giovinazzi, the Ferrari no match for the Honda.
Lap 12 sees Bottas go quickest in S2, the Finn subsequently posting the fastest lap (1:30.518).
Norris told to look after his front-left and keep Stroll behind. Easy peasy.
Oh dear, a big crash for Kvyat at Maggots.
The safety car is deployed.
At which point a whole load of drivers pit, however, the leaders had already passed the pit entry.
Replay suggests a right-rear puncture. Kvyat apologises but it doesn't appear to be his fault. It was a hard impact with the barriers at one of the fastest sections of the circuit.
Hamilton subsequently stops, as do Bottas - yes, it's another smooth as silk double-stack - Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz and Stroll.
As the dust settles - literally - after 13 laps Hamilton leads Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc and Grosjean. Yes, Grosjean. Sainz is sixth, ahead of Ricciardo, Norris, Stroll and Vettel.
You'll have gathered that Grosjean hasn't pitted. The Frenchman is the only driver on mediums while everyone else is now on hards.
Hamilton complains about the speed of the safety car.
"We need to work on the tyres, front and rear," Leclerc is told. "I'm trying," he replies, clearly exasperated, "but the safety car is so slow."
Norris complains about Ricciardo's tactics behind the safety car, claiming that the Australian is opening a gap to Sainz then closing it again.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 18.
Norris makes a move on Ricciardo but the Renault driver has it covered.
However the Briton hasn't given up and passes the Australian. Fired-up, Norris then attempts to pass his own teammate but runs wide.
Meanwhile, Albon is handed a 5s penalty for causing an accident.
The Sainz/Norris/Ricciardo battle continues, as does the Stroll/Ocon feud.
Though Bottas is quickest in the first two sectors, it is Hamilton who posts a new fastest lap (30.371).
Vettel, who passed Ocon in the pit stops, has now been passed by the Renault driver again.
Sainz is warned that he exceeded the track limits and now has one strike against him. He's allowed three.
Another fastest lap for Hamilton (30.188) as he builds a 1.226s lead.
Sainz complains that Grosjean changed direction. "Dangerous driving," says the Spaniard, "oh my god".
Sainz subsequently passes the Haas driver to take 5th. A little bit naughty from the GPDA director, but what the heck.
Hamilton and Bottas trade fastest lap, Hamilton posting 29.812.
Norris is urged to attack Grosjean.
As the stewards announce that they have noted the Sainz/Grosjean incident, the Frenchman refuses to yield to the other McLaren driver, though Norris isn't taking no for an answer.
"Stability is all over the place," complains Russell who is currently 16th (of 17).
Grosjean is shown the black and white flag for unsportsman like behaviour.
Ocon is all over Stroll, but the Racing Point driver will not roll over.
1.426s down on his teammate, on lap 26 Bottas posts a new fastest lap (29.944). The Finn is 6.8s clear of Verstappen who is 12s ahead of Leclerc.
Albon closes on Gasly as they prepare to fight for 13th.
"What the f*** is happening with the rear," asks Kimi. "He is told that it is the wind, a "big tail gust".
Check out our Race Day gallery from Silverstone, here.
Albon pits at the end of lap 30, rejoining in last (17th) on mediums after also serving his 5s penalty.
Giovinazzi is under investigation for safety car infringement, while Grosjean is told why he incurred the black and white flag. The Frenchman doesn't agree when told it was for "moving under braking in Turn 15".
Latifi sweeps past Raikkonen to take 15th.
Lap 33 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton (29.326) as he maintains a 1.6s lead.
Giovinazzi is handed a 5s time penalty for infringing the safety car.
Ricciardo passes Grosjean in Brooklands but again the Frenchman doesn't make it easy. Moments later, as the Haas driver is clearly struggling with his 36 lap old tyres, Stroll also passes the Frenchman, who subsequently pits. He rejoins in last (17th) following a slow pit stop.
Gasly passes Vettel for eleventh, though the German doesn't make it easy.
After 40 laps (of 52), it's: Hamilton, Bottas (+ 2.3s), Verstappen (+ 10.6s), Leclerc (+ 23.2s), Sainz (+ 4.4s), Norris (+ 1.8s), Ricciardo (+ 1.2s), Stroll (+ 3.8), Ocon (+ 0.3s) and Gasly (+ 2.8s).
Hamilton's right-front is clearly blistering, while Bottas is also complaining, albeit about a vibration.
And as if by magic, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (29.070).
As Ocon closes on Stroll, Albon is up to 14th and closing on Russell and Giovinazzi.
The Thai driver makes short work of Russell and sets about closing the gap to Giovinazzi.
Ocon passes Stroll who, like Grosjean before him has been shown the black and white flag.
Having passed Giovinazzi, and now closing on Vettel, Albon posts a new fastest lap (28.874).
Now Sainz complains of tyre vibration, which is music to the ears of Ricciardo who is closing in on the McLaren pair.
Raikkonen goes off and loses his front wing. Replay shows a front wing failure.
Gasly is all over Stroll but the Canadian slams the door.
As the Frenchman finally passes the Racing Point, Verstappen ups the pace and closes to within 6.4s of Bottas.
Oh dear! Bottas has a puncture and runs wide, as Albon passes Vettel.
The Finn, his tyre delaminating, slowly makes his way back to the pits as he is passed by Verstappen.
Safe in second, Verstappen pits for fresh rubber and a point for fastest lap.
Bottas pits, dropping down to 12th in the process.
With a 33s lead Hamilton can afford to pit but he is told not to go for fastest lap.
Now Sainz has a puncture, the McLaren sending a shower of sparks into the air, as Hamilton also suffers a left-front puncture.
The Briton heads down the Hangar Straight, though there is no crowd to will him on.
"Can we win this," asks Verstappen. "If you get on with it," comes the magnificent response.
Hamilton takes the flag, the front of his car dragging along the ground. Verstappen is second with Leclerc taking a surprise (shock?) podium.
Verstappen does at least take the fastest lap (27.097), while Vettel holds off Bottas to take a sole point for tenth.
Of course, had he not pitted, the Dutchman might well have pulled off a remarkable win. "ah, ****," declares the Red Bull driver.
High drama at the end of a somewhat processional race.
Hamilton wins, ahead of Verstappen, Leclerc, Ricciardo, Norris, Ocon, Gasly, Albon, Stroll and Vettel.
Bottas is eleventh, ahead of Russell, Sainz, Giovinazzi, Latifi, Grosjean and Raikkonen.
All of which will have implications for next week's race when Pirelli intends using tyres a step softer.
Well, assuming you've recorded that one, you may well want to fast forward to lap 49 for that's when the race (finally) came to life.
Heartache for Bottas, who had second in the bag, while Leclerc gets a shock podium.
Great result for Ricciardo, while Albon - all things considered - did well to finish 8th.
On sofas and chairs around the world those last two laps will have brought forth those gasps and roars we have grown used to... let's hope and pray that it isn't too long before we hear those familiar cries at Silverstone and Monza... and all the others.
We might have all been drifting off to sleep, but those last 180 seconds brought us all back to life with a start... it's what F1 does.
Can anyone else smell fried onions?
Check out our Race Day gallery from Silverstone, here.