Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (2024)

Gary Rose

All times stated are UK

  1. Post update

    Time for us to wrap things up here as the F1 show rolls on to Budapest for next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

    Is the title race over? Or will Ferrari fight back from today's disappointment.

    I'll leave you with Andrew Benson's report from today's race and see you next time.

  2. 'What a day'

    Lewis Hamilton, speaking to Sky Sports: "I feel fantastic. I was a little bit dehydrated. I don't ever usually drink in a race, this was the first time I tried it all year and there was nothing coming out.

    "What a day, I am so proud of the team. Winning races and getting results like this it is about the whole package. Reliability is a huge part of the whole process so I am so proud of the team from the reliability we have.

    "We were nine tenths off in qualifying. For some reason our race pace is a little better. I can't answer as to why but I am grateful for that."

  3. 'We need to stay humble'

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff spoke to Sky Sports: "We need to stay humble. Our car is just not good at the moment to fight with the guys in front; I'm always a little bit pessimistic because I need to be.

    "We're just lacking six or seven tenths to the leaders and whilst we have stabilised in the race and Verstappen hadn't been gaining more ground, he was also looking after his tyres.

    "Overall the team effort was great, the drivers did a really good job. George was clever and fast, Lewis the lion who was just always there. We're doing the maximum at the moment on race day."

  4. 'We are not the disaster people say we are'

    Carlos Sainz, who finished fifth but had appeared to have the chance of a podium: "Not the win but podium position with the perfect race could have made it.

    "We started 19th, with how the pit stop went, finishing fifth and with the point from the fastest lap it is okay and I'm going to take it.

    "I think the team has done a very good job with strategy. At Ferrari we get super criticised for things other teams might go through in their pit stop window. We are not the disaster people seem to say we are. We like to discuss things. Yes I wanted to stay out, I maybe saw a podium position. We will never know. The team has a lot more data on their screens. They did it with the best intentions and best spirit.

    "My point of view is that if I couldn't pass Checo I would box. The moment I passed him, I thought 'see if I could pull away'. At that stage, the numbers said it was impossible I would make it to the end. The team decided to pay it safe. In the moment my feeling was different but I didn't see the numbers."

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (2)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  5. 'There is always something to improve and learn in our approach'

    On Charles Leclerc's crash, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto told Sky Sports: "It’s just a mistake, it happens, in the same way we have reliability issues. I think what I said to Charles was that we make our lives a bit more difficult, but we will enjoy it more in the future if we turn it round.

    "It was a genuine driver error. (The talk about) the throttle was about when he put it in reverse and tried to move back from the barriers.

    "Certainly there is always something to improve and learn in our approach. Step by step I think we progressing and becoming better.

    "Once again today we have proved that we have a fast car, a very competitive one, and we need to turn the page and look to Hungary. We can do a one-two there, why not? So simple, we need to focus on the next result."

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (3)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  6. 'Leclerc is brutally honest about himself - I think that is damaging'

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (4)

    Jack Aitken

    Williams reserve driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Does Max Verstappen even acknowledge when he has made similar mistakes?

    It is the paradox of an athlete's mind - you have to be so self-confident. At times you are going to be disregarding pieces of evidence that are to the contrary.

    Leclerc is brutally honest about himself and I think that is damaging him to a certain extent - when he has these mistakes he rips himself apart.

    He does come back fighting, always, at the next race but it is a very emotionally tiring way to go about your business.

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (5)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  7. Post update

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (6)

    Jack Nicholls

    BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

    Ferrari need Red Bull to have some massive implosion if they are to have any chance now [of winning the drivers' title].

  8. 'The whole of the Ferrari team are failing'

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (7)

    Jennie Gow

    BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

    Self doubt will creep in for Charles Leclerc over the next few days. Hungary comes thick and fast - we are there next weekend from another grand prix.

    Leclerc is an incredible person, driver and a human being. He will berate and judge himself harsher than anybody else in the world, but he knows he has to come back next weekend and be stronger.

    He will need to find something to rally the team. He has to talk to the team tomorrow when they hold a debrief to try to work out what has gone wrong.

    It is not solely on Leclerc - the whole of the Ferrari team are failing. They have repeatedly made mistakes. They are not a championship-winning team at the moment. They have a mountain to climb if they are to contend.

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (8)

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  9. Post update

    Agree with Sho? Do you think the championship battle is over?

    Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

  10. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Sho Rahman: Verstappen 63 points ahead of Leclerc. The drivers' championship is over. Ferrari will only make more mistakes and the gap will get bigger.

  11. 'Ferrari need a complete overhaul'

    Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (9)

    Jack Aitken

    Williams reserve driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Ferrari need a complete overhaul - not just to the hardware but also to the way they operate. I include Charles [Leclerc] in that.

    [Red Bull's] Sergio Perez, who we are not talking about in this championship battle at all, is only seven points behind Leclerc. That just shows the amount of missed opportunities they have had in this championship.

    Mathematically, yes it is possible, but do we really expect that big a change from Ferrari and Leclerc in the second half of this season to be able to change such a margin?

    I find it very hard to believe.

  12. 'I was glad to see that chequered flag'

    Mercedes driver George Russell on finishing third: "I am absolutely sweating, I am a bit knackered now to be honest. It was a long race, a tough race. The pace was strong but we really struggled with the warm-up on that restart and Checo [Sergio Perez] was all over me, so I was glad to see that chequered flag and to come home P3."

    On contact with Perez: "For me I was down the inside - the rules are pretty clear, from front wheel to rear wheel when you are on the inside. That's what I had and he didn't really leave me much space.

    "Nevertheless, I am glad to bring home P3 and two podiums from Mercedes, which is great."

  13. 'It was a tough race because my drinks bottle didn't work'

    Lewis Hamilton who finishes second in his 300th grand prix: "I have to give it up to this big crowd, the biggest crowd we have had in France. What amazing weather we've had.

    "It was a tough race because my drinks bottle didn't work but what a great result considering we've been so far off these guys all weekend.

    "Reliability is one thing my team is amazing at so huge congratulations to the team back at the factories and the team here, without them we wouldn't get this podium. George did an amazing job as well.

    "I didn't see my weight but I would imagine [lost] three kilos. I'm looking forward to downing this drink. I hope everyone back home had a good Sunday!

    "Budapest? I love it at Budapest. Super excited to see the crowd there. It will be hard to beat Ferrari and Red Bull, they have the pace advantage still but I'm hoping we bring upgrades to the track and hopefully step forward. Hopefully in that race, even closer."

to-topLatest Post

Page 1 of 14

Navigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforward

Back to top

Relive how Verstappen won French GP from Hamilton after Leclerc crash (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5858

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.