French Grand Prix 2021 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen bounced back from his Baku heartbreak with a dominant victory at the French Grand Prix, outfoxing Lewis Hamilton through superior strategy and racecraft at Circuit Paul Ricard. The Dutchman's commanding performance extended his championship lead and demonstrated Red Bull's growing confidence in the title fight.

Starting from pole position, Verstappen controlled the opening stint before Mercedes attempted to undercut him with an early pit stop for Hamilton. The strategy initially worked, with Hamilton emerging in the lead, but Red Bull responded perfectly by switching Verstappen to a two-stop strategy. The decision proved inspired as Verstappen hunted down Hamilton on fresher tires, executing a brilliant overtake on lap 52 at Turn 11 to reclaim the lead. Once ahead, the Dutchman pulled away to win by nearly three seconds, also claiming fastest lap for the bonus point.

Hamilton had to settle for second place despite Mercedes' strategic gamble, while Sergio Perez completed the podium in third for Red Bull after a strong recovery drive from eighth on the grid. The victory gave Verstappen a 12-point championship lead and marked Red Bull's third consecutive win at Paul Ricard. The race showcased Verstappen's maturity and patience, traits that would prove crucial throughout the intense championship battle, while also highlighting Red Bull's tactical flexibility in responding to Mercedes' strategic moves.