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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12
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Analysis

The signs that suggest Mercedes can win the Silverstone F1 race

Red Bull and Max Verstappen scored an early blow against Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes at Silverstone, with sprint qualifying race victory. But that doesn’t mean Sunday’s grand prix is a foregone conclusion. Although Verstappen starts as the favourite, here’s why Mercedes still holds hope of winning

The worst thing about Formula 1’s Silverstone sprint qualifying race is that the shootout duel between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in ‘normal’ qualifying on Friday night now becomes a footnote, the Black Arrows driver’s brilliance in front of his adoring home crowd unrewarded by a 101st category pole.

But the best thing about it is the way it has aligned the title rivals on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix – because of the potential for further swings between them if certain circumstances play out. Verstappen will start from pole, statistically his eighth in the official recognition list – a bizarre reward for he and Red Bull underachieving in qualifying.

Previous article Verstappen: Pole from F1 sprint race doesn’t feel "proper"
Next article Perez to start British GP from pitlane after Red Bull F1 car changes

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