Daly With Career-Best Result, Vettel Recieves Matchball

Qualifying:

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* 10-place grid penalty for engine/gearbox change

Report:

After yesterday’s new Ferrari outfit was partly removed, with Sébastien Bourdais returning to his #27, hopes were quite high for the tifosi that have made the trip to Silverstone: if Ármannsson could win in Silverstone, Bourdais should be able to do the same, right? Normally, these assumptions backfire badly, but not today: Bourdais managed to give Ferrari the second win of this weekend.

After qualifying 5th, an engine-change penalty for Conor Daly promoted the French driver to fourth. Despite being on the dirty side of the grid, Bourdais launched off the grid and managed to force himself down the inside of Vettel on turn 1, taking the lead. This was the first, and some would say most crucial, step on the way to his victory: fighting off traffic and a good strategy were what kept him out front.

However, Sebastian Vettel is known for many things: but giving up easily is not one of them. He fought his way back to get within a second of the race leader. Testing his former teammate’s skill, Vettel made Bourdais work until lap 44. Sebastian was obviously interested in getting his 13th win, especially after Kvyat had to pit after an incident with a Brabham, throwing him all the way back out of the points. He ended up second, securing the record for most podium finishes by a driver in a season with 10 races still to go.

Speaking of incidents with Brabhams, something must have been in the water at the Brabham team. Something radioactive, apparently, because everyone in their cars or close to them suffered severe brain failures: Rosberg himself caused the Kvyat incident, before later being taken out by Vandoorne. Nyck de Vries somehow managed to provoke Simon Pagenaud into eliminating himself.

Race:

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Fastest Lap:

Sebastian Vettel – 42.355

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Conor Daly – His best result so far was unexpected, but very well deserved.

Reject Of The Race:

Esteban Ocon – After yesterday’s podium finish, this error looks especially bad.