It was a moment 945 days in the making for the 164.000 fans at Silverstone as the adoring British crowd erupted in an explosion of cheers as Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line with a tear in his eye at his home race. This wasn't just another triumph for the British racing legend; it was an iconic event in Formula One history. Forget the two-year, 56 race losing streak and the constant F1 news and rumours swirling about a team change to Ferrari next year; Hamilton had won his ninth British Grand Prix in a breathtaking display of skill and planning, breaking the legendary Michael Schumacher's record for most wins on a single track.
The race, as is customary at Silverstone, was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were high hopes for a home victory at Silverstone, with Hamilton's Mercedes teammate George Russell on pole ahead of Hamilton, Norris up from third, and Verstappen fourth. In an unexpected change of events, pole-sitter George Russell led the pack away, with Hamilton following closely behind. However, the ever-changing weather conditions, a feature of the British summer, threw a wrench in the works. As the rain started to fall only 25 minutes into the race and the 5.9 kilometre track became greasy and wet,teams needed to change strategies on the run, with tyre changes and calculated risks becoming the order of the day.
Race leader and Mercedes teammate George Russell's hopes of winning his second F1 race in a row were dashed on Lap 34 of 52, forced to retire due to a water system issue in his car. This is when Hamilton seized his opportunity on the wet track and took the lead.
The midfield produced its own drama. McLaren's youthful guns, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, fought well, threatening Mercedes' dominance. However, Hamilton, with his steady focus and years of experience, emerged victorious. A masterpiece in tyre management and cunning overtakes saw him battle his way back from Russell, eventually leaving the young driver in his dust.
This victory was especially satisfying for Hamilton because it indicated his final race for Mercedes at Silverstone. Rumours have been circulating for some time about a potential switch to Ferrari for the next season, and the emotional post-race interview just fueled the fire. Hamilton's eyes welled up with tears as he expressed his gratitude to his crew, most notably long-time race engineer Pete Bonnington and team principal Toto Wolff.
While Hamilton's triumph at his home race was the highlight of the day, there were several other standout performances. Hamilton's longtime rival, and overall leader Max Verstappen, had a dismal race. Red Bull's strategy miscalculation left him fighting to stay up, and he finished a distant third. The youthful guns of McLaren, on the other hand, continued to impress, with Norris finishing a strong second, cementing their team's status as a key contender.
The British Grand Prix provided a sharp reminder of Hamilton's ongoing greatness. Despite a hard season for Mercedes, the seven-time world champion demonstrated that he still has the desire and ability to compete at the greatest level. Whether he remains with Mercedes or starts a new chapter with Ferrari, one thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton: Lewis Hamilton is far from done and remains a contender for the title..
Moments after crossing the finish line, Hamilton ran into his team's mechanics' arms before hugging his father, Anthony Hamilton, before it was time to take in the resounding reception from the raucous home crowd. Carrying a British flag, he hopped over a crash barrier and held it high.
Verstappen couldn't get near enough, and Hamilton's victory made it six different winners this season, compared to three in 22 races last year. Even though Verstappen is not winning as frequently, he is widening his lead since Norris finishes behind him.
He is 84 points ahead of Norris in the standings, 255-171, with Charles Leclerc in third place at 150. Despite earning 25 points for his victory, Hamilton is eighth with 110.
Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri came in fourth, as team Mclaren opted to keep him out for a little longer, which ultimately cost him a maiden victory. Carlos Sainz Jr finished fifth for Ferrari, ahead of Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Alex Albon (Williams), and Yuki Tsunoda (RB) rounded out the top ten.
Sergio Perez apologised to Red Bull after qualifying in 19th place and starting from the pit lane as his team performed multiple part modifications. He finished 17th, with Leclerc starting 11th and finishing 14th.
This historic triumph will definitely keep F1 and motorsport news stories buzzing for a long time. Despite the 945 day wait between victories, Hamilton's position as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time is secured, and the race for the 2024 title has just become a lot more exciting.