Max Verstappen has won the French Grand Prix to extend his advantage in the Formula One world championship after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed out when leading.
Leclerc prevailed in Austria last time out to put pressure on Red Bull’s Verstappen, but all that work was undone in Le Castellet on Sunday as Ferrari’s run of mistakes this season continued.
Monaco’s Leclerc, who initially blamed the throttle before owning up to a driver error, screamed in anger from the cockpit after spinning and hitting the barriers on lap 18 of 53.
It was the third time this season Leclerc has retired when leading a race and he has only converted five of his 16 career F1 poles into wins.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished an impressive second in his 300th grand prix, the best position for his team this season, with teammate George Russell third.
McLaren’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo finished ninth.
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