F1 leader Antonelli powers past Hamilton for first sprint win

SILVERSTONE, England, July 4 : Kimi Antonelli blasted past home favourite Lewis Hamilton to take a first career sprint win at the British Grand Prix on Saturday and forge 43 points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell in the Formula One standings.

Ferrari's Hamilton started on pole but the seven times world champion had to settle for second place, 2.7 seconds behind, after Antonelli used the Overtake Mode to speed past on Hangar Straight - a move he made look as easy as lapping a backmarker - on the eighth of 17 laps.

In free air, Antonelli pulled away and raced to the finish untroubled, with nothing Hamilton could do about it in the time remaining.

"In control all the way," said Antonelli's race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington over the team radio at the chequered flag as Antonelli became also the youngest ever sprint winner at 19 years old.

NORRIS HOLDS OFF RUSSELL FOR THIRD

McLaren's world champion Lando Norris finished third after starting from sixth place, making a lightning getaway and then holding off a late challenge from Russell.

Russell, who started the season as title favourite but has been eclipsed by his teammate as Antonelli racked up a stunning five wins in a row, finished fourth at a blustery Silverstone.

"Tough race to keep the Mercedes behind," said Hamilton after saluting the crowd.

"I did say that was potentially the case yesterday and obviously with it being so windy today, a big, big headwind down the backstraight, he came flying past."

Saturday was the fourth sprint race of the season and Hamilton the first driver this year not to convert pole into victory in the 100km format. 

With a maximum eight points for a sprint win, Antonelli now has 179 points to Russell's 136 with seven times world champion