British GP: Leclerc wins dramatic race from Russell and Hamilton

Charles Leclerc took Ferrari’s second win in three races in a dramatic British Grand Prix as chaos broke out in the closing stages.

Leclerc, claiming his first victory for nearly two years, led home Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton as the race finished confusingly under a safety car, following a late change of mind by race control.

Silverstone has seen many remarkable races in its long history but this was one of the most extraordinary.

First, championship leader Kimi Antonelli suffered some kind of suspension failure when he was closing in on the Ferrari for the lead, and seeming set for another win.

As Antonelli dropped down the field, amid a series of increasingly desperate radio messages, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed at Stowe while chasing Hamilton for second place.

The safety car for that incident promoted Russell to second place as Mercedes decided not to pit the Briton while everyone else took fresh tyres.

Antonelli crossed the line ninth but was demoted to 16th by a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits – incurred while he was battling with the problems with his car.

Adding to the drama, Hamilton is to be investigated after the race for a yellow-flag infringement.

The result has a major impact on the championship, narrowing Antonelli’s lead over Russell to 25 points. Hamilton is seven points further adrift, pending that investigation.

The key stories of an incident-packed race were:

• A superb drive from Leclerc, deserving of ending a long victory drought for the Monegasque
• Contrasting fortunes at Mercedes changing the face of the title battle
• A rare mistake from Verstappen as he sought an unlikely second place for Red Bull

It is a two-week break before the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix at the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit, from July 17-19. (BBC)