Verstappen cements overall lead with French GP win
Sports Desk, Jul 24 (EFE).- Max Verstappen on Sunday strengthened his grip on the overall lead as he won the French Grand Prix.
The Dutchman bagged his seventh season victory, bringing his overall tally to 27 career victories.
“We just tried to stay calm and stay close. Unlucky for Charles, I hope he’s okay. It was all about looking after the tyres until the end,” the Red Bull driver told F1 media afterwards.
The 24-year-old was referring to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who crashed out of the race in the 18th lap, having started the day from pole position, just ahead of Verstappen.
Mercedes’ duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed the podium respectively – in the seven-time world champion’s 300th Formula One race- just ahead of Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari).
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso (Alpine) came sixth, ahead of Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon, (Alpine), Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
Verstappen increased his lead over second-placed Leclerc – who was not injured in the crash – to 63 points. Perez completes the podium 70 points off the pace. EFE
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