Lewis Hamilton Triumphs at British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, marking his first victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This victory, which is his ninth at Silverstone, came on a rain-soaked track where the lead changed hands multiple times. The seven-time world champion was overcome with emotion as he celebrated with his home crowd, holding the Union Jack high from his car.
Hamilton's victory was hard-fought, particularly against his old rival, Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver closed in on Hamilton during the dramatic finish but was unable to overtake him. Hamilton's win was described as a 'fairy tale' by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, especially as it was his last British Grand Prix with Mercedes.
British Drivers Shine Despite Challenges
The race started with a historic British 1-2-3 on the grid, the first since 1962, featuring George Russell on pole, Hamilton in second, and Lando Norris in third. Russell initially led the race but was overtaken by Hamilton and later by Norris. However, Russell had to retire due to a technical problem, while Norris also lost his lead due to a slightly delayed pit stop.
Despite the challenges, McLaren's performance was commendable, with Norris finishing third and Oscar Piastri securing valuable points. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Alpine had a mixed day, with Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon finishing outside the top ten, and Pierre Gasly retiring before the start due to a gearbox issue.
Hamilton's victory adds 25 points to his tally, placing him eighth in the driver standings with 110 points. Max Verstappen remains at the top with 255 points, while Lando Norris is second with 171 points. In the constructors' standings, Red Bull leads with 373 points, followed by Ferrari and McLaren.
- Hamilton's engineer, Peter Bonnigton, expressed his joy after the driver crossed the finish line, exclaiming 'You’re the man!' Hamilton was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he listened to 'God Save the King.'
- McLaren's strong performance at Silverstone has brought them dangerously close to Ferrari in the constructors' standings, with only a seven-point difference. The next race will be held in Hungary on the weekend of July 19-21, marking the mid-season point of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
