Hamilton has won his sixth Grand Prix of the year today at the German GP in a commanding fashion where he led from start to finish. By doing so, the Brit has now extended his championship lead to 19 points. His race today was so flawless that he never at one time lost the lead.
“Have a well deserved summer break, I hope you enjoy it.” The World Champion told his team.
Red Bull claimed a double podium with Ricciardo leading Verstappen in a 2-3 finish. Rosberg who is currently second on the standings finished in fourth, the local hero started from pole but a poor start prevented him from scoring a much deserved home victory.
German GP 2016 Results
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes-AMG
2. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
3. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
4. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes-AMG
5. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
6. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
7. Nico Hulkenberg – Force India
8. Jenson Button – McLaren
9. Valtteri Bottas – Williams
10. Sergio Perez – Force India
The German Grand Prix has been active since 1926, having been held for a record 75 times. However, the race only became part of the FIA Formula 1 after 1951, largely because West German was not allowed to take part in International events after World War II. The German GP has also hosted the European GP four times between 1954 and 1974. Rudolf Caracciola has the most wins at the German GP with six victories leading Michael Schumacher who has four wins. Ferrari leads the manufacturer category with a record 22 wins over second placed Mercedes-Williams tie with 9 wins.
This is the last race before summer break which will last for one month. Rosberg was the lucky winner at the German GP last year, and the local hero topped every session so far including winning pole position yesterday. The entire field started on supersoft tires except Esteban Gutierrez who was on softs.
Formation lap underway #GermanGP moments away 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/S6QZVvJM6U
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2016
Rosberg had a terrible start, and Hamilton claimed the lead almost immediately. Also benefiting from Rosberg’s poor start was the Red Bull duo of Verstappen and Ricciardo. After 8 laps, Hamilton led the race away from Verstappen, Ricciardo, Rosberg, Vettel and Raikkonen.
Kvyat and Nasr made the first scheduled stops on lap 8, the Toro Rosso rejoined on softs while Nasr picked up new supersofts. Verstappen reported struggling with his rear tires, and this was evidenced by Hamilton’s increasing pace, his lead was up by 3.8s. And on lap 11, both Rosberg and Verstappen made their first stops, they rejoined in 10th and 8th places respectively.
Meanwhile, Hamilton set another fastest lap on 1m20.465s and increased his lead to 8s.
LAP 7/67: 💥 @ManorRacing cars collide at Turn 6 – damage to @RHaryantoracing's front wing #GermanGP 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/EcN83rOvXD
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2016
Raikkonen also complained about his aging tires, and Vettel pitted right after that. The German picked up soft tires and rejoined behind Rosberg who was still on supersoft tires. Hamilton was also called in but unlike his teammate, the Brit was now on soft tires.
Rosberg and Verstappen both set new fastest times at different times on the same lap, the young Dutch was now up to P2 behind Hamilton. After 17 laps of 67, Hamilton still held the lead over Verstappen, Ricciardo, Rosberg, Vettel, Raikkonen and Bottas. Mercedes also confirmed that Rosberg was on Plan B.
#Seb5 pitting for options #GermanGP #redseason pic.twitter.com/LGYtE8Hyhj
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 31, 2016
Rosberg made his second pit stop at the end of lap 27 and rejoined on soft tires behind the Ferraris in sixth. There were multiple reports of drivers struggling on supersoft tires, Rosberg being one of them. There was a brief battle between Rosberg and Verstappen, and the Mercedes managed to pull through into P5 after the Red Bull ran wide.
Moments later an angry Verstappen barked “He pushed me off the track,” the Stewards were investigating that incident. Vettel then made his second stop on lap 32 picking supersoft tires this time, he rejoined in seventh behind Bottas.
Meanwhile, the Stewards decision handed Rosberg a 5s penalty for pushing Verstappen off the track. Hamilton then pitted from the lead on lap 35 and rejoined on new supersoft tires while still in P1. Rosberg who was angry at the Stewards decision then set a new fastest time of the race on 1m19.911s, first driver to break below the 1m20s. Massa then retired his Williams after a difficult race that started with a hit from Palmer on lap 1.
LAP 38/67: A bad day at the office for @MassaFelipe19
📻 "Box this lap – we are going to retire the car"#GermanGP pic.twitter.com/R0FBSwXrSN
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2016
“Ricciardo is pushing hard so we need mid-1m19s laps please Nico,” that was Mercedes message to Rosberg who still had a 5s penalty to serve.
Rosberg made his third stop and also served his penalty, the German rejoined behind the Ferraris. A series of pit stops followed including Verstappen and Ricciardo who were now on supersofts till the end. Rosberg meanwhile was on softs, Hamilton also made his last stop on lap 48 and rejoined in the lead on new soft tires.
Ricciardo then blasted a new fastest lap of the race on 1m18.442s, the Red Bull driver was currently second ahead of Verstappen, Rosberg, Vettel and Raikkonen.
10 laps to go! Jenson P9, Fernando P10. HAM leads from RIC, VES, ROS, VET, RAI, BOT, HUL, Jenson, Fernando #GermanGP pic.twitter.com/AVCTQf0S7A
— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) July 31, 2016
I have meet him