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Lance managed to secure more solid points with a P9 finish at the British Grand Prix, after a difficult race for the team where late-race tyre dramas played a part.
Lance battled his way to P9 in Formula 1’s British Grand Prix to keep the team’s streak going, as well as making it three points finishes in a row for our driver.
Unfortunately, his teammate Nico Hulkenberg - who was replacing the COVID stricken Sergio Perez, was unable to take the start in a cruel twist to his otherwise promising weekend.
Lance then played his part in a thrilling start to the Grand Prix, battling against McLaren's and Renault's and ensuring he kept his place in the Top 10 when the Safety Car arrived on the second lap.
Lance then continued to pile the pressure on the McLaren's ahead and put in some excellent defensive moves to keep Renault’s Esteban Ocon behind.
The Canadian was set to benefit from the team’s strategy of starting on the Medium tyre compared to his Soft-shod rivals ahead, but another Safety Car negated the benefits of the call.
On Lap 13, Lance brought his RP20 into the pits to make his only stop and switch onto the Hard tyre. He returned to the track in P9 with the Haas of Romain Grosjean running off-strategy, meaning Lance would gain the place back later.
Following the Safety Car restart, Lance again defended well to hold onto his position and settled into the second stint – later rising to P8.
Lance’s spirited defence against Ocon came to an end on Lap 46 and moved him into P9 – before a wild finale to the British Grand Prix turned the race on its head.
Lance kept clear of the late-race tyre drama and chaos to ensure he crossed the line in P9, securing crucial points for the team.
Lance: “We were able to keep up our run of scoring points in every race this season, but I’m disappointed to only finish in P9 and we need to go away and look into the reasons why.
The balance of the car was better today and I expected us to be more competitive, but we slipped back in the race.
It wasn’t our day today, so now we need to focus on next weekend and make sure we come back stronger and show what the car is capable of.
It’s a shame Nico couldn’t start the race because he’s done a good job this weekend.”
Lance will once again be back at Silverstone next week, as the legendary circuit will play host to it's second race in a row. The 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, hosted at the same circuit that started off the Formula One World Championship - takes place next week on the 7-9 August.
Silverstone
