Formula 1: Vettel wrecks Hamilton’s home party

British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 8, 2018 Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel celebrates winning the race on the podium with the trophy REUTERS

Sebastian Vettel opened a clear lead in the drivers’ world championship yesterday when he wrecked Lewis Hamilton’s home-race party and claimed an impressive victory in a thrilling British Grand Prix.

The four-time champion seized the lead at the start and fought back after losing the initiative during two safety car periods to register his second win at Silverstone and the 51st of his career.

Vettel’s win for Ferrari wrecked Hamilton’s hopes of taking a record fifth win in succession and a record sixth overall, but the Englishman – who was last after a collision with Kimi Raikkonen on the opening lap – produced a heroic drive to finish second for Mercedes.

His teammate Valtteri Bottas, on older tyres, led entering the closing laps, but was unable to resist Vettel or his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third. Bottas was fourth.

It was Ferrari’s first win in Britain since 2011.

Daniel Ricciardo came home fifth for Red Bull ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Renault, Esteban Ocon of Force India, Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Kevin Magnussen of Haas. Pierre Gasly was 10th for Toro Rosso.

“The safety car spiced it up,” said Vettel, wearing supporting tapes on his stiff neck.”

Raikkonen apologised for his first lap brush with Hamilton which earned the 38-year-old Finn  a 10-second penalty.

“It was my mistake,” he said. “I deserved the penalty, but I kept fighting.”

On another sweltering afternoon in central England, with a track temperature of 53 degrees Celsius, the drama began immediately. As the lights went out, Vettel made a near-perfect start to pull clear into the lead followed by Bottas.

Hamilton, from his record 76th pole, appeared bogged down as he responded and was instantly in a scrap for third with Raikkonen, who collided with the Briton under braking into Turn Three.

Both spun and rejoined, Hamilton after running off track. He was 19th and last, Brendon Hartley having failed to start in his Toro Rosso. [AFP]