Max Verstappen holds an unwanted Formula 1 record after his first-lap crash in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit this past Sunday.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified in second place in the traditional three-round, knockout qualifying session ahead of this past weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit, but he was still able to extend his Formula 1 pole position streak to four, as he won the first ever sprint qualifying race ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in second.
However, his British Grand Prix did not last long, as contact from Hamilton while leading the field into Copse on the opening lap of the 52-lap race around the 18-turn, 3.661-mile (5.892-kilometer) road course in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom sent him into the barrier at full speed, resulting in a 51G impact.
Verstappen was sent to hospital as a result of the impact, and he was later released without any major injuries. Hamilton was able to recover from the 10-second time penalty he was issued to win the race and close the gap to his rival in the championship battle.
Verstappen maintained his points lead despite suffering his second DNF in the last five races.
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Logic would tell you that what was a 32-point lead for Verstappen entering the race shrunk to a seven-point lead, with Hamilton scoring 25 points thanks to the win. However, it only shrunk to an eight-point lead.
That is because Verstappen now holds an unwanted record — though that extra one-point advantage may help him in the long run — of being the only driver to score a point/points without completing a single lap of a Grand Prix.
Points were awarded to the top three finishes in the sprint qualifying race, so Verstappen scored three points by winning that 17-lap race and taking the pole position. Hamilton scored two with his second place finish.
Formula 1 had never previously awarded points for taking a pole position.
So when the weekend was all finished, Hamilton scored 27 points and Verstappen still managed to finish with the ninth highest point total of three.
Formula 1 action is scheduled to resume next weekend with one final race before the summer break, the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 11th of 23 races on the 2021 schedule is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from the Hungaroring beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, August 1.