Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12
Autosport Plus
Analysis

How Leclerc almost defied Hamilton after F1 title rivals’ Silverstone clash

A poor start for Valtteri Bottas and the lap one clash between Formula 1's 2021 title protagonists gave Charles Leclerc a surprise lead in the British Grand Prix that he almost held to the end. Here's how the Ferrari driver came close to a famous victory, ultimately denied by a recovering Lewis Hamilton three laps from home

There’s something about Charles Leclerc and Silverstone.

In 2015 he was a rookie winner here in European Formula 3. He made his Formula 1 weekend debut in practice for Haas at the track a year later, then in 2017 – despite a pre-race brake fire and a wing mirror falling off – he won the F2 feature race and in 2019 he charged to the F1 podium after a feisty battle with Max Verstappen. Last year, he took the awful Ferrari SF1000 to the podium amid the first race tyre drama and then was excellent again to seal fourth in the 70th Anniversary event, when no incidents befell the leaders.

In 2021, he so nearly won the British Grand Prix – his excellent form all weekend rewarded with the race lead when Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton controversially collided. He would have been a thoroughly deserving race winner even without his extra efforts coping with an ailing engine.

Previous article Hamilton wants to restore “respect” with Verstappen in F1 battles
Next article British Grand Prix Driver Ratings

More from Alex Kalinauckas

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

F1 Formula 1
Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women? Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3 Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe