Silverstone played host to another thrilling chapter in the F1 Co-Op Season 2, and the Dutch drivers, Kruimel and The Captain, continued their impressive form throughout the race weekend.
Qualifying Drama and Dutch Front Row
Under the picturesque British skies, both Kruimel and The Captain showcased their speed during the free practice sessions. Kruimel, with a seemingly slight edge, hinted at a fierce battle for pole position. Mercedes, with Hamilton and Norris, stayed within striking distance.
In the qualifying showdown, Kruimel set an early benchmark that proved hard to beat. A strong lap from Kruimel secured him pole with a 1:25.316. The Captain, trailing by 0.600 seconds, secured the second spot, while Hamilton and Norris claimed P3 and P4 for Mercedes. Lance Stroll, however, struggled and found himself down in P16.
Race Day Drama and Dutch Double Podium
As the lights went out on race day, both Dutch drivers had impeccable starts. The battle was intense, with Hamilton keeping pace. Drama unfolded in a tussle between Hamilton and The Captain in Turn 3, resulting in damage for the Mercedes driver. This incident allowed the Dutch duo to build a significant lead over the rest of the field.
Hamilton pitted early for repairs and medium tires but opted for a one-stop strategy. The Captain followed an unusual early pit strategy, stopping in lap 6 instead of the planned lap 8. Kruimel, pitting two laps later, temporarily surrendered the lead but returned just 3 seconds ahead of The Captain.
As the race unfolded, all drivers went through their pit stops. Kruimel reclaimed the lead and extended his advantage over The Captain. While LeClerc and Norris battled for P3, Hamilton struggled with tire wear, slipping down the order.
In the closing laps, The Captain faced the consequences of his early stop, losing significant time. Norris overtook him for P2, but Kruimel comfortably secured the top spot. Norris crossed the line in second, and The Captain managed to hold onto the podium, finishing in third.
Championship Shuffle: Kruimel Takes the Lead
The Silverstone results shuffled the championship standings. Kruimel’s victory propelled him to the top of the driver’s standings with 103 points. The Captain, now in second with 99 points, faced a slight setback. Norris surpassed Hamilton for third place with 87 points, while Hamilton slipped to fourth with 78 points.
In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes maintained the lead with 165 points. Red Bull closed the gap slightly, standing at 140 points, and Aston Martin, despite Lance Stroll’s challenges, held onto third place with 113 points.
The next race promises more excitement as F1 Co-Op heads to France. With Kruimel’s success on this track in other series and The Captain’s enthusiasm for the circuit, fans can expect another thrilling showdown as the battle for the championship intensifies.
