2021 French GP results - Two-stop strategy helps Verstappen to deny Hamilton's 99th win in France
After both top two contenders Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) failed to score points at Azerbaijan GP in Baku, the battle between these top two title rivals continues in Circuit Paul Ricard on French GP.
Started on pole, Verstappen was stumbled at the start of the race, leaving Hamilton leading the race until the pit-lane window opened on lap 15. In the first stop, Verstappen pitted first to change to new hard tires, Hamilton went on to pitting in the next lap, however after the first pit-stop window, Hamilton remained his race lead from Verstappen. With 15 laps remaining to finish, 2nd-placed Verstappen decided to pitting again for new tires in order to chase Hamilton, who decided to not pitting until finish. Within ten laps remaining before the checkered flag, Verstappen was just ten seconds behind Hamilton; however five laps later, Verstappen's gap to Hamilton became within three seconds as Hamilton's tires started to wore out. Within the final two laps of the race, the Dutchman overtook Hamilton to retake the lead, leaving the Red Bull Racing driver to win his third race of the season.
During the post-race interview, Verstappen said that he didn't waste any chances to win this race, because his chance to win the world title is still wide open. Hamilton also said that this championship (between Hamilton and Verstappen) could be decided depending on pit-stop and tire strategies during the race.
- Race results
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing)
4. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
5. Lando Norris (McLaren)
6. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
7. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)
8. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
9. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
