Lewis Hamilton produced a vintage performance to win a British Grand Prix for the ages.
The 39-year-old ended a 945 day wait for a Formula One win in style, making light of a couple of downpours at Silverstone to land his 104th career victory in his 344th GP.
BACK ON TOP!!! 🤩
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX!#F1 #BRITISHGP PIC.TWITTER.COM/GCNGJWVG8I
— Formula 1 (@F1) JULY 7, 2024
It was the Mercedes driver’s ninth win on his home track and came 16 years and one day after claiming his first GP win on home soil.
The seven-time World Champion has now won more GP on one track than any other driver in history and became the sixth different race winner this season, building enough of a cushion to hold off the fast-finishing Red Bull of Max Verstappen in the closing stages.
The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished third and fourth, having occupied first and second at one point in the first of two rain showers at Silverstone.
The hopes of three Brits on the podium had been dashed when the Mercedes of George Russell was forced to retire from first place on lap 35 as his car suffered a drop in water pressure – his second retirement in his home GP.
Lando Norris saw second-place taken by the storming Verstappen on lap 49, giving the Dutchman four laps to close a three-second gap to Hamilton, a feat which proved impossible.
Hamilton had last tasted victory in Saudi Arabia in December 2021.
After bursting into tears on his victory lap, a jubilant Hamilton told Sky Sports: “This is my last race here with this team. I wanted to win it for them.
“I could see (the home fans) lap by lap coming round. There is no greater feeling than coming out on top here.”
Hamilton admitted going so long without a win has been ‘so tough’ but added: “The important thing is you continue to dig deep when you feel like you are at the bottom of the barrel. There have been days since 2021 when I didn’t think I’d get back to where I am today.”
