Picture Credit: Twitter
From racing at the mesmerisingly beautiful and high pace configuration amid the scenic Styrian Alps of Austria, Formula 1 has set foot at the fastest track on the calendar here at Silverstone in the heart of Great Britain.
The checkered history of Silverstone
Schumacher has excelled here. Senna has competed here. The English legends - Stirling Moss, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell have all scripted their moments here.
A pre eminent, highly engaging and breathtakingly captivating racing destination, Silverstone, it ought to be remembered, is the most historic track on the F1 calendar; having been home to the first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix that took place way back in 1950.
But it’s 2023 and true to the ever changing and unpredictable vagaries of the sport, one can’t take anything for certain and anything can happen, cliches be darned.
While from a historical perspective, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, a truly Great Briton has taken the most number of wins here, 8, it can’t be said for certain whether the Mercedes driver will be the go-to man to claim victory in round eleven of the ongoing world championship.
Which brings us directly to question which driver from the twenty on the grid stands the best chance to claim victory at the British Grand Prix?
Whom should you place your best bet on?
He’s called the Flying Dutchman. He’s regarded as the shark on the current grid. It’s not good news to see him on your rear view mirrors.
And it’s not even the spot where he’s belonged where it comes to sheer domination in this world championship.
The leading frontrunner for the better part of this season, Max Verstappen is here for yet another display of Maximum attack.
Moreover, with seven race wins in 2023, Max Verstappen of Red Bull is the most likely contender for a race win here at the beating heart of the British Grand Prix.
Interestingly, the driver who currently holds the lap record here at Silverstone is indeed Max Verstappen; during the 2020 British Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver had set a belter of a lap at Silverstone clocking a 1:27:097 at the fast paced and spine bending racing circuit.
Why’s Max Verstappen expected to dominate?
Well, for starters, it’s a bit of a no brainer. No other driver besides Verstappen, currently in menacing form, has clinched seven race wins this season. This makes the defending world champion the sort of driver who is, truth be told, in quite a league of his own.
With great form, an exceedingly fast racing machine and the much needed confidence from a team possessing the winning edge, Verstappen is by far the standout performer of the 2023 season.
If there’s a track where beating the current Brits on the grid- Hamilton, Russell and Norris- would give the Dutchman a greater sense of accomplishment, then it’s Silverstone, which is the home race of three of the most precious talents on the grid, one among them a timeless legend.
Verstappen has won here in the past. And currently as he chases an eighth victory of 2023, a win at Silverstone will augur well for the Red Bull driver who’s actually on the cusp of a sixth consecutive race triumph in Formula 1; something that he’s never previously achieved and ditto for Lewis Hamilton.
Having topped FP1 and FP2, Verstappen who found little competition from the likes of Ferrari and his own teammate in the other Red Bull is expected to mount another super charge through the field.
SportsTiger pro tip
That said, which other drivers could possibly hold the edge?
Place your bet on Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, the winner at Silverstone back in 2022, the last when F1 raced here and Sir Lewis Hamilton, who’d be raring to come to the party.
Note: Gamble and bet responsibly and don’t form a habit out of it.
