02 August 2020

5 of the best British Grands Prix at Silverstone

02 August 2020

Lewis Hamilton registered a remarkable seventh British Grand Prix victory in dramatic fashion at Silverstone on Sunday afternoon.

The six-time world champion appeared on course to cruise to victory but had to limp over the line,virtually on three wheels, after suffering an extraordinary last-lap puncture.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crossed the line just five seconds back, having started the last lap 31 seconds behind Hamilton.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at five other amazing grands prix at Silverstone.

1987

Motor Racing – British Grand Prix – Silverstone – Nigel Mansell – 1987 (PA Archive)

Nigel Mansell was forced to pit for a new set of tyres after reporting vibrations on his Williams. With 30 laps remaining he was the best part of half a minute behind his team-mate and fierce rival Nelson Piquet. The chase appeared impossible but, spurred on by his home crowd, Mansell smashed the lap record on nine occasions before catching and passing Piquet after an exquisite move at Stowe with only two laps left. The home crowd were euphoric and Mansell responded by leaping out of his Williams and kissing the tarmac.

1994

On this day in 1994: Damon Hill wins British Grand Prix (PA Wire)

Michael Schumacher illegally overtook pole-sitter Damon Hill on the parade lap and was ordered to serve a stop-and-go penalty. A black flag was issued which should have resulted in Schumacher’s instant disqualification. But the German kept going and eventually opted to pull into the pits on lap 27 to serve his earlier stop-and-go punishment. Hill went on to claim a crucial victory and was presented with the winner’s trophy by Princess Diana. Schumacher finished second, but he was later disqualified for ignoring the black flag and subsequently handed a two-race ban.

1998

GP Silverstone Schumacher action 2 (PA Archive)

Schumacher was at the centre of controversy again four years later after winning the race while stationary in the pit-lane. Mika Hakkinen had led from the start, but as the rain fell and conditions deteriorated, the Finn lost control of his McLaren and spun. The safety car was deployed, and while Hakkinen remained in the race, he had sustained damage to his front wing. His 40-second lead was wiped out and Schumacher looked odds-on to win. The German, however, had illegally passed Alexander Wurz under a yellow flag, which should have resulted in a stop-and-go penalty. But the haphazard stewards only announced his punishment with two laps left. Schumacher entered the pits to serve his penalty, but had already crossed the start-finish line and won the race. The bizarre result stood despite McLaren’s protests.

2003

Rubens Barrichello – British Grand Prix (PA Archive)

Rubens Barrichello claimed the greatest victory of his career in an all-time F1 classic. The Ferrari driver started from pole but slipped to eighth after a safety car was deployed when a protester stormed the track along the 200mph Hangar Straight. But Barrichello carved his way back through the field before executing a wonderful move on McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen on lap 42 to claim the lead, and ultimately, the race victory.

2008

Formula One Motor Racing – British Grand Prix – Race – Silverstone (PA Archive)

Hamilton arrived at his home race fourth in the drivers’ standings but left on top after storming to victory in one of his outstanding performances. In torrential rain, Hamilton blitzed the field, finishing the race almost 70 seconds ahead of second-placed Nick Heidfeld and lapped the entire pack up to third.

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