MOTORSPORT: Verstappen dominates French Grand Prix

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has returned to victory lane at the French Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul Ricard, after title challenger Charles Leclerc crashed out while primed for a strong result.

Bouncing back following Ferrari’s wins in Great Britain and Austria, the result has extended the Red Bull driver’s title advantage to 63 points with 10 races remaining in the season.

From pole position, Leclerc headed Verstappen through the opening exchanges, although the latter challenged for the lead on the sixth circuit, before pitting early on lap 16 of 53.

Two laps later, Leclerc crashed out following an unforced error – the third time the Ferrari driver has failed to finish a race this season after leading.

From there, it was a straightforward day for Verstappen.

“I think we had really good pace from the start,” said Verstappen.

“I was putting pressure on Charles, but following around here with this heat, you know, the tyres are overheating a lot, so I could never really go for a move.

“Of course, we pitted a bit earlier… from there onwards, I just did my race, looked after the tyres.

“Because of the pit lane being so long you couldn't do another stop, so you had to stay out, but the tyres were wearing a lot.”

For Leclerc, the day was another missed opportunity.

“I think it’s just a mistake,” he said.

“Tried to take too much around the outside, put a wheel probably somewhere dirty, but it’s my fault and if I keep doing mistakes like this then I deserve not to win the championship.

“I’m losing too many points, I think seven in Imola, 25 here because honestly we were the strongest car on track today.

“So yes, if we lose the championship by 32 points at the end of the season, I will know from where they are coming from. And it’s unacceptable, I just need to get on top of those things.”

Contact on the opening lap between the Alpine of Esteban Ocon and the AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda saw the former receive a 5sec penalty, and the latter ultimately retire on lap 19 with crash damage.

Under the safety car for the Leclerc accident, his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz was in the wars, with an unsafe pit release resulting in a 5sec penalty.

However, on the medium compound tyre, Sainz was the big mover in the field through the mid-portions of the race after starting 19th due to an engine change penalty, before engaging in a spirited battle with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Just after getting the upper hand for third, the Ferrari team called him into the pits, where he resumed in ninth with under 10 laps remaining.

A late virtual safety car for the stopped Alfa Romeo of Zhou Guanyu combined with mixed restart messages from race control saw Perez jumped by George Russell (Mercedes) for third.

The final order saw Verstappen 10sec clear of Lewis Hamilton, who didn’t have an operable drink bottle aboard his Mercedes in his 300th Grand Prix start, ahead of Russell, Perez, the recovering Sainz, Fernando Alonso (Alpine), Lando Norris (McLaren), Ocon, Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin, 10th), who survived a last corner challenge from his stablemate Sebastian Vettel.

The Formula 1 season continues next weekend with the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.

2022 French Grand Prix results:

2022 Formula 1 championship standings: