DHL Fastest Lap: Danner’s Pick Grabs Fastest Lap at British Classic

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton raced the DHL Fastest Lap on his way to victory on home soil this past Sunday. The British Formula 1 superstar was also Christian Danner’s top favorite to pilot the Fastest Lap at “incredibly fast” Silverstone.

Click play above to watch cockpit footage of Lewis Hamilton’s Fastest Lap and DHL’s F1 Expert and former F1 driver Christian Danner telling the story behind it.

After coming from behind to place second at the FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2014, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton quickly set his sights on his home turf: the British Grand Prix at the historic Silverstone circuit – the world’s first permanent race track that played host to the very first race of the newly created Formula One World Championship in 1950.

And he made things pretty clear: “[My win at Silverstone in 2008] has to be one of the best moments in my career. I loved raising that gold trophy in front of the home crowds and I’m determined to get my hands on it again this year.”

And that’s precisely what he did.

“Silverstone is obviously a special race for me and the support I have there is just incredible. The British fans are the absolute best in the world and it’s really humbling to see thousands of people out there cheering you on – no matter what the weather or the result.” (Lewis Hamilton)

After a disappointing Saturday qualifying that put him in P6 on Sunday’s starting grid, the Brit went out determined and was already in 4th after the first four corners when the red flag came out following Kimi Raikkkonen’s high speed crash – a dramatic moment that saw the Finn spin out of control after running off the track and trying to rejoin. He spearheaded into the barriers, which needed to be repaired, delaying the race for nearly an hour. Thankfully Kimi walked away with only bruises.

“[Lewis] actually managed to set Fastest Lap early on in the race.” (Christian Danner)

After the race restarted behind the safety car it only took Hamilton two more laps to move into 2nd behind teammate Nico Rosberg, who had built a sizeable 5-second lead.

After reeling Rosberg in and then letting him go again after a slow pit stop, Hamilton shot his Silver Arrow out of the pit lane and took a second off the lead with what would become the day’s DHL Fastest Lap on Lap 26. Add to that a little luck in Rosberg’s misfortune and British fans we’re cheering their hometown hero’s lead at Lap 29 – a position he held on to for the final 23 laps.

“I couldn’t be happier guys.” (Lewis Hamilton to his crew after crossing the finish line)

Hamilton wins a classic British Grand Prix, narrows the gap to Rosberg in the Drivers’ Championship and nabs his second DHL Fastest Lap of the season, drawing him to within one of his teammate.

The standings
With his win at Silverstone, Hamilton cuts Rosberg’s lead to 4 points. Williams driver Valtteri Bottas pushes World Champion Sebastian Vettel out of the top five. Mercedes continues to dominate Red Bull and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.

On the DHL Fastest Lap table, Hamilton also moves to within one of teammate Rosberg.

We’re in for an exciting duel as Formula 1 nears the end of the season’s first half. The race for the 2014 World Championship and the DHL Fastest Lap is far from over!

See all Danner’s Fastest Lap Tips and Reviews!
Christian Danner shares the Fastest Lap story with us each week and you can have a look back at his past picks and reviews at any time on DHL's YouTube channel. Before and after each Grand Prix this season, Christian Danner offers up his pick for the DHL Fastest Lap and then reviews that perfect lap after the race. “One thing that is so cool about the fastest lap,” says Danner, “is that there’s always a story behind the story.”

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