Formula 1’s back-to-back swing through the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone has reshaped the 2026 championship in ways few saw coming a fortnight ago.
What Happened
The incident triggered a safety car, and both the Ferrari drivers pitted for fresh tyres – while Russell, gambling on used mediums, stayed out and jumped Hamilton in the process.
Investigation and Response
Leclerc crossed the line to end a winless run stretching back to Austin 2024, with Russell claiming second just 0.427 seconds behind after his tyre gamble paid off, and Hamilton completing the podium — though facing a separate yellow-flag investigation that was later resolved with only a reprimand. The nine-time Silverstone winner, however, was under investigation for a yellow flag infringement, having already served a five-second penalty for a false start.
