Silverstone produced another cracking Grand Prix as Formula 1 celebrated its 70th anniversary with Max Verstappen giving Red Bull its first victory of the 2020 campaign. Formula 1 manager Motorsport Ross Brawn discusses the race’s key points.
Read more: Max Verstappen defeats Mercedes duo to seal brilliant Silverstone win
Silverstone delivers the best race of the year
The weekend of the 70th anniversary Grand Prix showed how small changes, such as changing the composite type and allocation from one race at Silverstone to the next, can have such a big effect. It made the race.
Red Bull produced a brilliant strategy, and Max Verstappen executed it perfectly. The difference between getting the bands to hold on and for them to go over the top can be quite subtle. Clearly, Mercedes put a little more energy into the tires in a way that pushed them over the limit, while Red Bull did not.
Read more: Why Red Bull’s tires were a double risk for Verstappen – and how it almost came back
The hot temperatures and the softer tires with increased tire pressure caused a combination of factors that shook Mercedes, but Red Bull was able to thrive. Without a doubt, this was the most exciting race of the year.
Verstappen reminds me of Schumacher
Max was simply sensational at Silverstone. He reminds me of Michael Schumacher in several ways. If you listen to his radio, he clearly has room for capacity.
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The limit of the car is not the limit of Max Verstappen. He is able to feel the subtlety of the car and respond perfectly. I remember the early days of Max in Formula 1 where his speed was clear – he is now matridden in an exceptional racing driver.
I loved his radio, especially when he said he ‘did not want to ride like a grandmother’ when the team asked him to manage his tires. It shows tremendous confidence and a relationship in the team, which is very strong.
70th Anniversary Grand Prix: Verstappen refuses to ‘sit behind a grandmother’
Hulkenberg should be in Formula 1
It would be an incredible physical challenge for Nico Hulkenberg and I do not know how much he hurt at the end of the race, but it was quite amazing performance by someone who just fell into the deep end.
Read more: ‘Vibrations’ forced late stop says betize Hulkenberg returns after finishing P7 on F1 race
I drew him almost years ago when I was employed by Mercedes. If Lewis did not join Mercedes when he did, Nico was our next choice.
I have always respected Nico immensely as a driver. He is a very strong driver who should be in Formula 1.
Ferrari has to sit with Vettel
It was another difficult weekend for Sebastian. When I encountered these situations in my career, I sat down one-on-one with the driver and I understood what the problems were.
READ MORE: Vettel says Silverstone strategy ‘makes no sense’ when P12 ends early spin
Then you look at bringing people into the discussion, engineers, etc., who will be helpful in improving things. It will be a measure for Sebastian and the team how they handle the rest of the season.
They clearly have a very frustrated driver, and they need to find ways to keep it together for the rest of the year for the interests of both. They must try to lose a loss in a win.
70th Anniversary Grand Prix: Vettel tells Ferrari they ‘messed up’
The future of F1 is in safe hands
What the 70th anniversary Grand Prix and indeed the season so far have shown is that Formula 1 has some very exciting young drivers and that means the sport has a future he can look forward to, especially if we implement the budget cap. prize fund, and we get the new generation of cars in 2022.
Charles Leclerc delivered another brilliant drive for Ferrari, he is just amazing. Verstappen once again showed off his exceptional talent.
Alex Albon has stood in the shadow of Max, but after some criticism the last few weeks, he stepped up at Silverstone this weekend and delivered a very strong performance throughout the entire race.
And although George Russell did not have his best weekend, he has consistently shown this year that he is an enormous talent.
Let the Racing Point matter
The controversy surrounding Racing Point is a classic aspect of the rich carpet of Formula 1. There are clearly strong feelings around it. We will just have to play the process and rely on the judgment of the Court.
Read more: ‘Angry’ Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll says he is ‘surprised’ by rivals because he comes out on allegations of cheating
