British Grand Prix 2019 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton claimed a record-breaking sixth British Grand Prix victory at Silverstone, recovering from a dramatic first-lap collision with teammate Valtteri Bottas to hunt down and pass race leader Charles Leclerc. The race began chaotically when Bottas, starting from pole position, was squeezed between Hamilton and Verstappen into Turn 1, with the Finnish driver spinning after contact sent him careening through the gravel. Hamilton continued with front wing damage, falling to fourth place while Bottas dropped to the back of the field with a puncture and damaged car.

Leclerc inherited the lead from the opening-lap chaos and controlled the middle portion of the race brilliantly, pulling away from the chasing pack as Hamilton recovered through the field after an early pit stop for a new front wing. Once equipped with fresh tires and a repaired car, Hamilton demonstrated why he is considered one of the greatest drivers in history, carving through the order with devastating pace. The British driver caught and passed Sebastian Vettel for second place before hunting down Leclerc in the closing stages, making the decisive overtake with just a few laps remaining to claim victory in front of his adoring home crowd.

Bottas recovered to finish second after his early drama, executing a brilliant recovery drive that showcased his resilience and speed. Leclerc had to settle for third place after his magnificent defensive efforts finally succumbed to Hamilton's superior pace and fresher tires. Hamilton set the fastest lap to complete a dominant weekend despite the first-lap setback. The victory extended Hamilton's championship lead to 39 points and sent Silverstone into raptures, as the six-time winner (at that point) celebrated another home triumph. The race also marked a significant moment in the title fight, with Bottas's championship hopes fading after the costly first-lap incident.