French Grand Prix highlights: Hamilton and Russell on podium, Verstappen eases to victory
MAX VERSTAPPEN won an eventful French Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc's unfortunate early crash.
F1 preview: A lap of the French Grand Prix
Max Verstappen took another huge step towards retaining his Drivers' Championship crown by securing yet another race victory at the French Grand Prix. The Dutchman was gifted a huge opportunity to claim a maximum haul of points and duly delivered to pull clear at the top of the standings ahead of of Charles Leclerc, who crashed out after making a crucial mistake while in the lead.
Leclerc, who started from pole position, managed to keep Verstappen at bay for the entirety of his involvement in the contest before spinning out and skidding into the barriers in another cruel blow to his hopes of clinching the end-of-season honours. His Red Bull rival went on to cruise to victory without looking back after putting in a near-faultless performance around the twists and turns of Circuit Paul Ricard.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was able to rubber-stamp his best result of the year by coming home in second place to mark a brilliant weekend for Mercedes. He was joined on the podium by George Russell, who forced his way ahead of Sergio Perez during the closing stages of the race before surviving a late push from the Mexican driver on the final lap.
Relive Express Sport's live updates below.
KEY EVENTS
- Goodbye16:10
- Full results15:53
- VERSTAPPEN WINS!15:35
- Safety car14:34
- Leclerc crashes out!14:33
- LIGHTS OUT! Leclerc holds lead14:05
- Starting grid13:50
- Good afternoon13:00
Goodbye
That's all we've got time for this afternoon.
Thanks for joining us to follow this year's French Grand Prix, which was eventually won by Max Verstappen after Charles Leclerc's unfortunate error saw his chances of victory go up in smoke.
The race also marked the best result of the year for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finally getting on the podium together for the very first time this season.
We'll be back next weekend to keep you up to date with the on-track action at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Catch you then!
Your podium stars in France \ud83d\udcab
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
\ud83e\udd47 Max Verstappen
\ud83e\udd48 Lewis Hamilton
\ud83e\udd49 George Russell #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/yHYy7CA9mQ
Leclerc opens up on crash
Charles Leclerc has revealed that his unfortunate crash while in the lead of the race was simply down to a poorly-timed error.
"A mistake, a mistake," he tells Sky Sports F1.
"I've been saying I think I'm performing at my highest level in my career but if I keep doing those mistakes then it's pointless to perform at a very high level. I'm losing too many points.
"Seven in Imola, 25 here because we probably were the strongest car on track today so if we lose the championship by 32 points at the end of the season I will know from where they are coming from.
"It's unacceptable, I just need to get on top of those things."
Full results
Here's the full rundown of the finishing order in France...
RACE CLASSIFICATION \ud83c\udfc1
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
A dominant victory for Max Verstappen \ud83d\udcaa#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/o0uAdtUumY
Verstappen: The car was quick
"We had really good pace from the start, I was putting pressure on Charles," explains race-winner Max Verstappen.
"Following around here, with this heat, the tyres are overheating a lot so I could never really go for a move, only once.
"We just tried to stay calm and stay close. We pitted a bit earlier and from there onwards you never know how the race is going to go. The car was quick today.
"Of course, unlucky for Charles and I hope he's okay. From there onwards, I just did my race and looked after the tyres."
Hamilton: A tough race
"That was actually a tough race because my drinks bottle didn’t work," says Lewis Hamilton.
"But what a great result, considering we’ve been so far off these guys all weekend.
"Reliability is one thing that my team’s been amazing at, so a huge congratulations to the team back at the factory, the team here, who without them we couldn’t get this podium."
The drivers speak
"I'm sweating and a bit knackered now to be honest," says George Russell in his post-race interview with Sky Sports F1.
"The pace was strong but we really struggled with the warm up on that restart and Checo was all over me.
"I was glad to see that chequered flag and come home with P3. Two podiums for Mercedes is great."
VERSTAPPEN WINS!
It's been all too easy for Max Verstappen, who cruises to yet another Grand Prix victory in France after Charles Leclerc's earlier crash!
Lewis Hamilton manages to secure a season-best finish by coming home in second place.
George Russell, meanwhile, clings on to third after surviving a late push from Sergio Perez.
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS IN FRANCE!!!
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
A dominant display by the Dutchman who didn't put a foot wrong to take glory at Le Castellet \ud83d\udc4a#FrenchGP #F1 @Max33Verstappen @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/1SS1Xj13p1
Final lap
Max Verstappen, who is running 10 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton as things stand, crosses the line to begin his 53rd and final lap of the race...
Russell gets into third
George Russell catches Sergio Perez napping and finally manages to squeeze around the outside of his rival and up into third place!
Could a Mercedes double-podium finally be on the cards here?
Virtual safety car
Zhou Guanyu comes to a stop on the edge of the track at Turn Five and will take no further part in this race.
The virtual safety car is quickly deployed while Zhou's car is wheeled away before the green flags are waved once again.
Three laps to go...
Perez still ahead of Russell
George Russell is still trying to force his way up into third place but remains stuck behind Sergio Perez for now.
The latter is defending well and looks to be on course to join the podium celebrations alongside Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton when the chequered flag drops.
Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is running in fifth after making up a handful of positions since his earlier pit stop.
Russell closing in on Perez
George Russell is all over the back of Sergio Perez and will be looking to force his way ahead.
The Mercedes driver is adamant that Perez should have been penalised for turning into him a few laps ago and Toto Wolff is on the radio telling the Brit to calm down.
No punishment has been handed down to Perez by the stewards as of yet, though.
There are just eight laps remaining at Circuit Paul Ricard...
Sainz serves penalty in pit lane
Carlos Sainz is called into the pits to serve his earlier five-second penalty for an unsafe release.
He also fits a new set of medium tyres before emerging onto the track in ninth place, almost two seconds adrift of Esteban Ocon in eighth.
Carlos pitting for new mediums. He also served a 5s penalty for an unsafe release penalty. P7 now. #FrenchGP pic.twitter.com/3CCbhDSBV4
\u2014 Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 24, 2022
Sainz gets around Perez
Carlos Sainz pulls off a hugely impressive move to force his way ahead of Sergio Perez and up into third place.
George Russell then tries a move on Perez but makes contact, forcing the Mexican driver wide!
Latifi and Magnussen out
Nicholas Latifi fails to avoid turning into the side of Kevin Magnussen before both drivers spin off the circuit.
They manage to get up and running again but quickly return to the pits to retire their cars.
Sainz right behind Perez
Carlos Sainz has wasted no time in closing up to Sergio Perez over the last few laps.
The Red Bull man will have some defending to do in order to hang on to a podium spot between now and the end of this race.
Hamilton goes off track
Lewis Hamilton runs wide at Turn Two and into the run-off area but quickly manages to steer his Mercedes car back on track.
He's now running six seconds behind Max Verstappen, who still leads and looks set to claim yet another Grand Prix victory as things stand.
Sainz passes Russell
Carlos Sainz finally manages to squeeze around the outside of George Russell to move up into fourth place.
He is now just three seconds adrift of Sergio Perez, who has been unable to force his way ahead of Lewis Hamilton as of yet.
Position update
Yuki Tsunoda becomes the second driver to retire from today's race due to crash damage from his opening-lap tangle with Esteban Ocon.
We're on lap 28 of 53 and the current running order is as follows...
1. Verstappen 2. Hamilton 3. Perez 4. Russell 5. Sainz 6. Alonso 7. Norris 8. Ricciardo 9. Ocon 10. Stroll 11. Albon 12. Gasly 13. Vettel 13. Bottas 15. Magnussen 16. Latifi 17. Schumacher 18. Zhou
OUT: Tsunoda, Leclerc
Halfway through the #FrenchGP \u23f1 Max is 3.4 seconds ahead of HAM and Checo is still in P3 \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com/rxZseioitl
\u2014 Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 24, 2022
Zhou penalised for Schumacher collision
Zhou Guanyu has been awarded a five-second penalty after tagging Mick Schumacher after the safety car restart.
Perez closing on Hamilton
Sergio Perez is upping the pace and now finds himself within DRS range of Lewis Hamilton.
The Mexican driver will be aiming to force his way ahead of his Mercedes rival over the next few laps.
Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is lapping considerably faster than George Russell and will be within striking distance very shortly.
Sainz handed five-second penalty
Carlos Sainz has been given a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release in the pits during the safety car period.
Replays show that he was allowed to pull straight into the path of Alex Albon, who slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision.
Schumacher spins
Mick Schumacher is tagged by Zhou Guanyu in the final sector and spins off the circuit.
He manages to avoid the barriers, though, and gets back on track with relative ease.
Zhou, meanwhile, quickly pits for a new front wing after picking up some damage.
Sainz up into sixth
Carlos Sainz has been making no shortage of progress over the course of this race.
He sweeps past Lando Norris to get up into sixth place and will be chasing a spot on the podium for the remaining laps at Circuit Paul Ricard.
Safety car
The safety car is indeed called out in the wake of Charles Leclerc's hugely unfortunate mishap.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell join a gaggle of drivers in pitting for new tyres.
Replays show that Charles Leclerc simply lost traction in the rear tyres, which rendered him unable to prevent his car from sliding out of control.
He is out of the car and looks to be physically okay.
Leclerc crashes out!
It's heartbreak yet again for Charles Leclerc!
He loses control before skidding into the barriers and will take no further part in this race.
The safety car will surely be called into action here...
LAP 18/53
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
CHARLES LECLERC IS OUT OF THE RACE!!!
The Ferrari driver hits the wall at Turn 11!#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5SL5xQcmUc
Verstappen into the pits
Max Verstappen dives into the pit lane to fit a fresh set of hard tyres.
It's a fine stop from his Red Bull crew and he emerges back onto the circuit in seventh place, allowing Lewis Hamilton to move up into second.
Russell gaining on Perez
George Russell is slowly but surely closing in on fourth-placed Sergio Perez.
The Mercedes driver is currently 1.5 seconds adrift of his Red Bull counterpart, who is failing to gain on Lewis Hamilton in spite of his best efforts.
Verstappen still probing Leclerc
Max Verstappen remains within a second of Charles Leclerc but is still being left frustrated by his inability to move into the lead.
The Dutchman is giving it everything but to no avail as things stand, with his Ferrari rival successfully keeping him at bay for now.
LAP 11/53
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
So close yet so far for @Max33Verstappen \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\ude05
These two are certainly keeping us on our toes so far! #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/bHO2xWArrS
Sainz flying up the order
Carlos Sainz, who started from 19th place on the grid due to an engine penalty, now finds himself up in 12th after making up plenty of ground over the first few laps.
The Ferrari man will be aiming to get into the points-paying positions in the not-too-distant future.
Safety car ends - Verstappen still ahead
The safety car returns to the pit lane at the end of lap 20.
Max Verstappen manages to stay ahead of Lewis Hamilton without too much difficulty at the restart.
Sergio Perez is now running in third place, with George Russell in fourth and Fernando Alonso fifth.
Hamilton keeping Perez at bay
Lewis Hamilton is over a second clear of Sergio Perez, who is running in fourth after losing one place at the very first corner.
The Mercedes driver also has the fastest lap of the race but remains some way adrift of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen as things stand.
Leclerc defends well
Max Verstappen goes for a move on Charles Leclerc around the outside but is forced to yield, with the Ferrari driver braking later than his rival to stay ahead.
It seems as though the lead changing hands is only a matter of time, though.
Top two pulling away
Lewis Hamilton is already more than four seconds adrift of second-placed Max Verstappen after just five laps.
The Mercedes driver looks to be out of contention for a stunning race victory but remains on course for a fourth podium finish in as many outings.
Verstappen closing on Leclerc
Max Verstappen is hunting down Charles Leclerc and smells blood.
The Red Bull man is far quicker on the straights but Ferrari's superior pace through the corners is keeping Leclerc ahead for now.
Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, has been handed a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap.
LIGHTS OUT! Leclerc holds lead
Charles Leclerc gets a brilliant start to edge out Max Verstappen off the line!
Lewis Hamilton also starts well and manages to squeeze past Sergio Perez and up into third.
Yuki Tsunoda goes on to spin at the end of the Mistral Straight after being tagged by Esteban Ocon but quickly gets going again.
LAP 1/53
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022
Tsunoda makes contact with Ocon and is sent into a spin
The AlphaTauri driver is still going but is down in P20 #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/IoIdh66Th8
Here we go
The formation lap is underway and we're just seconds out in France.
The vast majority of drivers on the grid have opted for the yellow-walled medium tyres.
Starting grid
Here's a final reminder of today's grid order at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The warmth of the sun is beating down on the track and it remains to be seen how tyre degradation will be affected by the toasty conditions over the course of this afternoon's contest.
We're less than 10 minutes away from the start of the formation lap and the drivers are getting strapped in and ready to go.
Sunday's runners and riders \ud83d\udc40#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/faALa2K2Qf
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 23, 2022
Rosberg explains Hamilton motivation
One-time world champion Nico Rosberg has insisted that Lewis Hamilton will be desperate to put in an encouraging performance this afternoon in order to beat George Russell, who has had the better of his Mercedes team-mate for the majority of the campaign to date.
"Lewis never wants to come second to a team-mate," Rosberg tells Sky Sports F1.
"That is just a giant motivation for him and he showed that yesterday because his pace was absolutely awesome. It was Lewis at his best, being four-tenths faster than George."
Wolff hints at Hamilton extension
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted last night that Lewis Hamilton could stay in F1 for at least another four years as he hunts down a record-breaking eighth Drivers' Championship title.
The 37-year-old, who will compete in his 300th race at today's French Grand Prix, is currently tied down to the Silver Arrows until the end of next season.
"We talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go, and the number that was discussed was five to 10 years, so I think we can get to 400 [races]," said Wolff.
"Someone once said you have not just got to win the eighth [world title], so why not 10? Says he who is a second of the pace!"
Ricciardo lays down McLaren challenge
Daniel Ricciardo, who has struggled to perform to his own high standards over the course of this year, has insisted that he can still challenge for race victories if he is given a car with the ability to do so by McLaren.
"I feel we’re getting closer to it," the Aussie driver tells Sky Sports F1. "I feel like we come out of every weekend, whether it’s good or bad, and it makes more sense.
"Give me a winning car and I’ll win. I don’t feel I’ve ever left a win on the table. That’s the challenge that lies ahead of us, with myself and with the team at McLaren."
Qualifying recap
Charles Leclerc produced a stunning lap at the end of Q3 to secure yet another pole position for Ferrari in yesterday's qualifying session.
The Monegasque driver pipped Max Verstappen by a margin of three-tenths and was helped in part by a lengthy tow from Carlos Sainz, who will start today's race from the back of the grid after picking up an engine penalty earlier this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton managed to get his Mercedes car up into fourth with a near-perfect lap but was still almost a second off the pace of the leaders, with the 37-year-old still struggling to challenge at the very front in spite of his team's best efforts.
He will line up on the second row of the grid ahead of Lando Norris, who was able to qualify ahead of sixth-placed George Russell with a hugely impressive effort in the final minutes of the session.
Catch up on the full story here.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage of this year's French Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc will line up on pole position after going fastest in qualifying but will be sternly tested by Max Verstappen, with Red Bull seemingly quicker than Ferrari over long runs as opposed to one-lap pace.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, starts in fourth but will have a mammoth task on his hands to secure a podium finish over the course of this afternoon's 53-lap contest.
We're just an hour away from lights out and will be keeping you up to date with all the on-track action as it unfolds.
Welcome to race day, everyone! \ud83e\udd17#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/xRHTHsJJzL
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022