E-Paper
Hamilton leaves them out of gas
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton produced a monumental drive to take his second win of the season in the German Formula One Grand Prix after an enthralling battle with Ferrari's second-placed Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton produced a monumental drive to take his second win of the season in the German Formula One Grand Prix after an enthralling battle with Ferrari's second-placed Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
The only disappointment for the local supporters was Red Bull’s titleholder and championship leader Sebastian Vettel struggling in his home race to finish fourth as rain just about held off.
Vettel’s run of 11 successive podium finishes ended but the 24-year-old saw his overall lead trimmed by just three points over teammate Webber to 77 with nine races left.
This time, both Red Bulls were outshone by the flying Briton who started on the front row and seized the lead into the first corner. “Woo hoo, great job guys, great job. An incredible feeling, oh wow,” said Hamilton, who leapfrogged Spaniard Alonso into third in the standings.
Hamilton, who said he had no chance of pole before seizing second on the grid, made a great start while Alonso also got past Vettel only to soon lose the initiative. Alonso — who won last time in Britain for Ferrari’s first victory of the season — retook the struggling Vettel in style at turn one of the ninth lap.
Red Bull performed their usual heroics in the pits to get Webber back out in front of Hamilton but by the second round of pit stops Alonso found himself ahead before an outrageous pass by the McLaren sent the Briton clear.
A third pit stop had Hamilton just coming out in front and he surged towards the chequered flag for his 16th career win.
