Wayne Lumbasi
Max Verstappen took another huge step towards retaining his Drivers’ Championship crown by securing yet another race victory at the French Grand Prix.
The Dutchman was gifted a huge opportunity to claim a maximum haul of points and duly delivered to pull clear at the top of the standings ahead of of Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc’s race ended on Lap 18 when he lost the rear of his car coming out of Turn 11, spinning 360 degrees before crashing into a tire wall. It was Leclerc’s third retirement while leading a race this season after Spain and Azerbaijan.
Verstappen’s victory is the 27th of his career and he extended his lead over Leclerc in the championship by more than 60 points. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second for Mercedes in his 300th Grand Prix, with teammate George Russell third to secure their first podium double of the campaign.
Verstappen’s seventh win of the season takes him 63 points clear of Leclerc and strengthens his chances of claiming a second successive drivers’ title.
