Formula 1: Brendon Hartley finishes 14th at French Grand Prix

  • 25/06/2018

Kiwi Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley finished 14th at the French Grand Prix in Marseille on Monday morning (NZ time).

The Toro Rosso motorist started at the back of the grid at Circuit Paul Ricard but moved up to 13th by the end of the first lap due to the carnage in front of him.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel crashed into Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas at the first corner, but both cars managed to race on.

However, the news wasn't as good for Hartley's French teammate Pierre Gasly who crashed into a Force India car. The crash forced both drivers out of the race.

It was a disappointing moment for Gasly who didn't complete a single lap in his home Grand Prix.

Speaking after the race, Hartley said he was happy to finish the race after crashing out in Canada earlier this month.

"It was a clean and good race, but starting last it was hard to make much headway," he said.

"I had a good battle with Marcus early on, but he got me back during the pit stops. I kept out of trouble on the first lap - a couple of cars cut the chicane, and I didn't make up much ground, but at least I was able to keep the car safe.

"I wish we could have made some more progress, but ultimately we didn't have the pace today. I moved forward and got by the two Williams, but I don't think there was much more we could do in the race, it's tricky when you start at the back."

It was the first F1 race in France in a decade and the first at Circuit Paul Ricard since 1990.

The race was won by Lewis Hamilton who led from start to finish to claim his 65th career win.  Only Michael Schumacher has more victories with 91.

The Brit now leads Vettel by 14 points atop the drivers' championship standings. 

 

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