Germany: The Hits and Misses of the Editorial Team

Lewis Hamilton, the flair of the greatest!

The revolt of a champion. Overwhelmed by a new twist of fate on Saturday, the race winner resurrected himself on Sunday. As determined as ever, he executed a surgical comeback to rejoin the front runners after fifteen laps. And to think he had declared “not being able to overtake easily” on this track! His most courageous gamble was to stay on the track as long as possible with his starting soft tires, until the 42nd lap precisely, while maintaining a strong pace. The four-time world champion had perfect control even as his rival ended his race in the wall.

So obviously, his victory is also due to [the strategy of his team](#), which handicapped his teammate. But the “momentum” has shifted to Lewis Hamilton, with emotions visible outside his car. His distress in qualifying and [his relief on the podium](#) show how committed he is in this demanding title race against Vettel. And now he too has a small safety cushion at the top [of the championship](#). He just needs to hold on at the Hungaroring to go on vacation as a solid leader.

“That was the drive of my life. It was a trying day. The greatest day…” An emotional [@LewisHamilton](https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) signs off after a roller-coaster [#GermanGP](https://twitter.com/hashtag/GermanGP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 🇩🇪 weekend! [pic.twitter.com/cbz5Ftn5G8](https://t.co/cbz5Ftn5G8)— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) [22 juillet](#)

Nico Hülkenberg, the importance of being consistent

A train that often arrives on time. Eighth points finish for the incredible “Hulk” in /f1/actualite/22845-erreur-humaine-erreur-mecanique-quelle-est-la-cause-de-labandon-dhamilton-.html. When Hülkenberg finishes this season, it’s always in the points: Consistency personified. The German driver secures a magnificent fifth place in front of his supporters, his best result at home and his highest score this season. Opportunistic as ever, he also took advantage of a fight between Ericsson and Ocon to gain two positions. While his midfield peers battled in the rain, #27 secured his fine place, despite an early pit stop on lap 20. His work anchors Renault in the fourth place of the constructors’ standings. This driver definitely deserves a podium for his excellent work!

📻 @HulkHülkenberg “Thank you very much”#GermanGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/F97gWOLdBF

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 22 /f1/actualite/22845-erreur-humaine-erreur-mecanique-quelle-est-la-cause-de-labandon-dhamilton-.html

Romain Grosjean, the rocket at the end of the race!

Beaten in qualifying by his teammate but still sixth, the Frenchman offered us an exceptional end to the race, unfortunately overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton. His first part of the race was more complicated, dropping to eighth place at the end of his first stint, completed on lap 21. Energized by new ultra-soft tires at the end of the race, the Genevan “had fun” in the last laps, and we can believe it! Three cars overtaken and a new good result, enough to lessen the disappointment of Silverstone. Romain Grosjean seems to have never been happier in the paddock. His resurgence comes at the best of times, just before negotiating a new contract in 2019. He must continue in Hungary!

Those last laps were fun 🙌🏁🇨🇭

— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) July 22

Sebastian Vettel: Such a Beautiful Effort Broken in One Turn

A phenomenal qualification. On his home turf, the quadruple world champion seemed untouchable until the rain intervened. Slightly more difficult to drive in the wet, Vettel lost control of the SF71H with a small mistake, a slightly late braking. His error wasn’t egregious, but in that spot, it was unforgivable. And to say the German put his credibility on the line by insisting his team let Räikkönen allow him to pass. It must be said that this championship leaves nothing to chance.

Paradoxically, it is at the moment when Sebastian Vettel could strike the hardest that he loses the most, at least since Melbourne. The future will tell if this mistake costs him the title. But the German now seems to have the best car on the grid: even the Mercedes team admits it in their post-race comments. To be world champion at the end of the season, he should not repeat such a Sunday.

“VETTEL

“It wasn’t a huge mistake, but there was a huge impact on the race obviously. It’s my mistake, I apologize to the team who did everything, small mistake and great disappointment. The tires weren’t fresh, but it was slippery for everyone.”

— Secteur F1 🇩🇪 (@Secteur_F1) 22 July

Carlos Sainz: too often a notch below

Still outperformed by Hülkenberg in qualifying and in the race, the Spaniard never caught up with his teammate. Worse, the Madrid native even made an incomprehensible mistake under the Safety Car regime by overtaking Leclerc’s Sauber. The art of shooting oneself in the foot, so to speak. It’s now been three consecutive races that the Iberian hasn’t scored any points in the world championship. Until proven otherwise, this mistake under neutralization is his. Carlos Sainz is experiencing crucial times and must prove his place with Renault or McLaren, or he risks returning to Toro Rosso at the end of the season.

Charles Leclerc: rare enough to be highlighted

Surprisingly to put in the flops a driver who qualified 9th, on one of the least performing cars on the grid, although recent developments make us think otherwise. Vandoorne or the Williams team could have easily claimed this spot again. But for once the Monegasque doesn’t serve us caviar, it should be noted. After securing his third Q3 on Saturday, his race is to forget. Leclerc couldn’t hold up against the other mid-grid drivers. First in FP3 under the rain, the driver gambled with a pit stop on lap 45 to switch to intermediate tires. A tire change that was too early, which ruined his result: 15th at the finish. And to top it all off, a consequence-free 360 and an excursion off the track. Meanwhile, Ericsson managed to secure a spot in the points. Let’s hand it over for this time!