Eifel Grand Prix LIVE results: Lewis Hamilton wins to equal Michael Schumacher record and stretch championship lead
Follow the latest updates from the Nurburgring as championship leader Hamilton extends his lead to 70 points with a record-equalling victory
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring where Valtteri Bottas starts from pole position ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The Nurburgring’s return to the Formula One calendar for the first time in seven years has not been short on drama, with Friday’s running completely washed out and Racing Point’s Lance Stroll ruled out with illness, meaning another call-up for Nico Hulkenberg in his place.
Qualifying also produced a surprise as Bottas left his rivals in his dust, producing a lap nearly 0.4s faster than championship leader Hamilton, who just squeezed onto the front row ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen. There was also welcome relief for Ferrari with Charles Leclerc taking fourth ahead of the second Red Bull of Alex Albon, ahead of the two Renaults, but Sebastian Vettel starts outside of the top 10 once again after qualifying 11th. Follow live updates below.
PITS OPEN
The Nurburgring comes to life as the drivers head out for the first time today, and all eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton’s practice starts following his penalties in Russia.
Thankfully, Hamilton has found the right spot to start from this weekend, and it’s safe to say both he and Mercedes have learned their lesson.
WEATHER UPDATE
The forecasted rain has pushed back into the evening, according to the Met Office, meaning the race should stay dry this afternoon. However, much like Spa, you just never know up in the mountains.
MCLAREN NEWS
McLaren have had a busy morning already, with an engine change for Lando Norris.
The Briton has changed the engine, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K - which is pretty much the full package beyond the ECU - but will not face any grid penalties as it is all within his allocation of three power units.
The change was brought on by a failure post-qualifying, rather than any pre-planned move to give him a faster race car.
FRIDAY’S WASHOUT
As mentioned, both of Friday’s practice sessions were cancelled due to the weather conditions, which were predicted to play havoc with running this weekend.
The FIA ruled that as the medical helicopter could not take off, it was too dangerous to race, and it meant that provisions need to be introduced to ensure the race can go ahead today should the same happen again.
As a result, the FIA has formed a helicopter pad 3km from the circuit, where an ambulance can reach at a lower altitude where weather conditions should be more generous.
GOOD MORNING
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Eifel Grand Prix as the Nurburgring makes its long-awaited return to the Formula One calendar.
After seven years off the calendar, the famous German circuit returns to bring unpredictable weather conditions and a lack of running that leaves many questions left to be answered. It may not be the ‘Green Hell’ that the Nordschleife circuit used to pose, but there is still something special about being back at Nurburgring.
So, where to start?
Friday’s action ended up being a damp squib as rain and fog ensured there was no running to report on whatsoever, with the medical helicopter unable to take off to ensure sessions could not be run. As a result, teams went into Saturday with no running under their belts, resulting in a frantic FP3 in order to perfect set-ups in time for qualifying.
It proved to be a competitive afternoon as Verstappen, Hamilton and Bottas all spent time at the top of the table, but in the end if was the Finn who emerged out in front as he hooked up his final lap to usurp Hamilton from first, with the Briton only just pipping Verstappen to join Bottas on the front row.
With all three seemingly on the same pace, and Ferrari enjoying something of a rejuvenation with Charles Leclerc impressing in fourth, it’s anyone’s pick who will emerge triumphant today.
And there’s also the prospect of the rain returning, with the forecast predicting that the heavens could open at some point in the afternoon.
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