RED Bull’s Max Verstappen won the French Grand Prix on Sunday and took a huge stride towards a second Formula One title after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made a costly mistake and crashed out while leading.
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.
The victory on a hot afternoon at Le Castellet was Verstappen’s seventh in 12 races this season and 27th of his career.
It also left him a hefty 63 points — more than two race wins — clear of closest rival Leclerc at the top with 10 rounds remaining.
“I think we had really good pace from the start, I was putting pressure on Charles,” said the Dutch 24-year-old, who also won at the southern Circuit Paul Ricard last year.
“Following around here, with this heat, the tyres are overheating a lot so I could never really go for a move – only once.”
Leclerc had led away from pole position, with Verstappen needing six laps before he could get close enough to attempt a move.
While he pulled closer on the straights, Leclerc had an advantage through the corners and managed to remain just out of reach with the race shaping up as another private battle between the two.
