Heading into the eighth race of the 2018 Formula 1 calendar, TIBCO partner Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport arrived at the French Grand Prix with victory in their sights. Powered by fresh engines recently installed in both cars, Lewis Hamilton snagged his 75th pole during qualifying while Valtteri Bottas slotted in right behind his teammate in P2.
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton takes his 75th career pole position, and the first in France for ten years! #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/BqCZGIUrFn
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 23, 2018
On race day, the drivers took their positions on the grid and prepared for what was sure to be a contentious start.
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⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️LIGHTS OUT in France for the first time in a decade!#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/n7ysvSXim4
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 24, 2018
The drama began immediately around turn one as Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel collided with Bottas, causing the Flying Finn to spin out, dropping him back to P18.
SAFETY CAR: Valtteri is limping back to the pits… a few cars out at Turn 1! Vettel’s Ferrari sparking away too… #FrenchGP
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 24, 2018
Hamilton escaped without a scratch, and Bottas wouldn’t stay at the back of the pack for long.
Can’t keep the Flying Finn down for long… already back on track! #FrenchGP @MercedesAMGF1 #DrivenByEachOther #F1 #TIBCOfast https://t.co/hFDkP7rE7a
— TIBCO (@TIBCO) June 24, 2018
One after another, Bottas worked past his opponents, increasing his position in the standings.
GET IN! 🦈🇫🇮 Good job, Valtteri! P12 for the Finn! Next up the road, Vettel… 👀 #FrenchGP
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 24, 2018
All while Hamilton built up a comfortable lead in first place ahead of the Red Bull drivers — and somehow managing to make it look easy.
We haven’t seen a whole lot of Lewis Hamilton – but he’s still going strong out front, managing that 5s lead back to VER nicely 🇫🇷 #FrenchGP
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 24, 2018
With just a few laps remaining, Bottas was able to close the gap from P18 all the way up to P7; Hamilton had no problem hanging on to the lead through to the finish, finishing first.
YES!!!!! @LewisHamilton wins the #FrenchGP!!! What a drive! 👏@ValtteriBottas comes home P7 after a determined fightback #F1 pic.twitter.com/z2DLtShGUR
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 24, 2018
One of the more unique trophies for the collection 😜@LewisHamilton grabs his third win of 2018 to match Vettel's tally
And he now leads the German by 14 points#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/iRRhp3VPko
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 24, 2018
LIKE A BOSS! @LewisHamilton #LH44 🇬🇧 wins the #FrenchGP 🇫🇷!!! Well done @MercedesAMGF1! Amazing result. Bring on the #AustriaGP! @TIBCO #DrivenByEachOther #tibcofast pic.twitter.com/8CyDrc8wgw
— Thomas Been (@tombee74) June 24, 2018
“Happy Sunday, everyone!”
–@LewisHamilton over the radio after his first place finish at the #FrenchGP! 🇫🇷🏁🏆🥇🍾Congrats @MercedesAMGF1 on a great race weekend – time to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/UjsxkEiSeo
— TIBCO (@TIBCO) June 24, 2018
Up next — the Austrian Grand Prix in Vienna on July 1.
Learn more about TIBCO’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport that provides the team with a data-driven competitive edge.
