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The crucial factors that took Hamilton to the brink of disaster

The narrative of the 2020 British GP flipped with three laps to go as tyre failures became the post-race focus. But amid Lewis Hamilton's seemingly inevitable run to a seventh Silverstone win, several key factors contributed to the late drama

For so long the ending of the 2020 British Grand Prix story seemed known: Lewis Hamilton triumphs for the seventh time. The on-the-flag reports were written, post-event columns planned, questions ready: how did the world champion feel about taking a comfortable, record-extending win at Silverstone without the usual support from the fans?

But that ending ultimately never came into existence, even though it had been foreshadowed for 49 largely insipid tours of last Sunday's 52-lap race. It was replaced, instantly, when Valtteri Bottas's left-front tyre gave way just as he approached the final corner on that 49th lap.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.