Key Victory at Snetterton for Markelov, Vettel Retires Early

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:23.514	1:23.632
2	6	Artem Markelov		1:23.997	1:23.713	+0.199
3	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:24.587	1:23.830	+0.316
4	47	Lando Norris		1:24.105	1:23.910	+0.396
5	31	Esteban Ocon		1:24.052	1:23.923	+0.409
6	7	Charles Leclerc		1:24.310	1:23.991	+0.477
7	57	Dean Stoneman		1:24.222	1:24.150	+0.636
8	64	Dave Cassidy		1:24.580	1:24.428	+0.914
9	23	Alexander Albon		1:24.558	1:24.468	+0.954
10	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:24.539	1:24.515	+1.001
11	33	Max Verstappen		1:24.862	1:24.559	+1.045
12	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:24.674	1:24.839	+1.160
13	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		1:25.020	1:24.830	+1.316
14	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:25.432	1:25.100	+1.586
15	37	Kazuki Nakajima		1:25.185	1:25.287	+1.671
16	29	Roger Ibe		1:25.190	1:25.444	+1.676
17	13	Pastor Maldonado		1:26.023	1:25.823	+2.309
18	84	Jack Aitken		1:26.346	1:26.223	+2.709
19	23	Jules Bianchi		1:26.619	1:26.296	+2.782
20	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		1:27.137	1:27.053	+3.539
21	4	Robin Frijns		1:27.579	1:27.140	+3.626
22	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:27.292	1:27.223	+3.709
23	98	Bradley Dagnall		1:28.264	1:27.889	+4.375
24	73	Daniel Melrose		No Time	No Time	---

Report:

The key factor in the British Grand Prix was the heat. Near-record temperatures in Norfolk county made the first F1 outing of the Snetterton Circuit a challenging experience for all 24 drivers on the grid.

Sebastian Vettel dominated qualifying, ending the battle for pole position on Friday with a great lap. Regrettably, the German wasted his effort: first, he lost the lead at the start and when he tried to get it back, he spun out early.

Artem Markelov was left to take a key victory, which helps his title dreams massively. Especially given hometown hero Lando Norris failed to beat Charles Leclerc for second, Markelov’s lead keeps growing.

In the lower points-paying positions, a few struggling teams have a moment of celebration: Williams acquire three points at the hand of Robert Shwartzman, who is drawing attention from Precision, and Toyota gets a ninth place thanks to Bottas.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	6	Artem Markelov		59:03.558	15
2	7	Charles Leclerc		+9.474	12
3	47	Lando Norris		+12.783	10
4	57	Dean Stoneman		+22.131	8
5	94	Pascal Wehrlein		+27.193	6
6	23	Alexander Albon		+40.182	5
7	33	Max Verstappen		+41.203	4
8	26	Robert Shwartzman		+42.637	3
9	77	Valtteri Bottas		+62.680	2
10	64	Dave Cassidy		1 Lap	1
11	23	Jules Bianchi		1 Lap
12	37	Kazuki Nakajima		1 Lap
13	85	Jack Aitken		1 Lap
14	73	Daniel Melrose		1 Lap
15	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1 Lap
16	19	Robin Frijns		1 Lap
17	98	Bradley Dagnall		1 Lap
18	13	Pastor Maldonado		Motor
DNF	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		Accident
DNF	29	Roger Ibe		Transmission
DNF	14	Esteban Ocon		Suspension
DNF	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		Motor
DNF	39	Sho Tsuboi		Motor
DNF	18	Sebastian Vettel		Accident

Fastest Lap:

Esteban Ocon – 1:28.198

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

FAST-Mercedes – the team owned by Fernando Alonso looks as much as a star-in-the-making as the driver himself did early in his career.

Reject Of The Race:

Sebastian Vettel – a horrible error may very well have ended his dreams of winning the world championship.