The British Grand Prix was won by Hamilton after a protracted delay.After overcoming Max Verstappen to win the British Grand Prix in classic style for a record-tying ninth time, Lewis Hamilton celebrated his passionate and much anticipated record 104th career triumph yesterday. With a victory lap timing of 1.465 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s series leader and three-time winner, the seven-time champion, who will turn forty in January, broke down in tears.
In an unpredictable race marked by shifting weather and course circumstances, Lando Norris finished third, ahead of Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin. Having not won since the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in 2021, Hamilton proved his mettle in tire and race management to earn Mercedes’ 150th podium result. The British driver Hamilton said, “I’ve been waiting for this,” as he crossed the finish line in his Mercedes to win Silverstone for the eighth time, ending a tie with Michael Schumacher for the most victories at one circuit.
Yesterday, in classic style, Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix for a record ninth time, capping an emotional and eagerly anticipated record 104th career victory over Max Verstappen. After finishing 1.465 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s series leader and three-time winner, the seven-time champion, who will turn 40 in January, broke down in tears and shouted on Mercedes team radio throughout his victory lap. In an unpredictable race marked by shifting weather and course circumstances, Lando Norris finished third, ahead of Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin. Hamilton gave a masterclass; he hadn’t won since the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in 2021.
Verstappen remarked, “We simply lacked the pace today.” At first, it didn’t matter much, therefore I was gradually retreating. Though we made the proper decisions, things didn’t look good at one point. Pitching erroneously had cost Norris the lead. Norris began, “Lewis deserves a lot of praise.” Hats congratulations to him and Mercedes; they deserve it. He simply performed a better job on that pivotal choice at the end. It was challenging. I had a great time taking several risks and combating these people in these precarious situations.
Alex Albon of Williams and Yuki Tsunoda of RB were behind two-time winner Fernando Alonso, who finished ninth in the second Aston Martin. Three Britons began their home race at the front of the grid for the first time since 1962 in front of a crowd of over 120,000 spectators on a day of clouds and sporadic sunlight in central England. Starting from pole position, George Russell made a clean start, and Hamilton closed the gap rapidly behind him to shield Verstappen, who had overtaken Norris, from danger.
By the sixth lap, Russell had gained ground and was leading Hamilton by 1.6 seconds, with Verstappen and the two McLarens trailing by 1.4 seconds. As rain started to fall on the former military airstrip on lap 14, Norris overtook Verstappen to reclaim third place. On lap 17, Piastri overtook Verstappen as the McLarens came to life as the rain got heavier. “The sun is peeking out.” Russell was subsequently passed by Hamilton for the lead as both Mercedes slithered through the downpour.
On lap 19, Norris overtook Russell for second place, and on lap 21, he surged by Hamilton to complete a McLaren 1-2. Norris was clearly enjoying the conditions. Verstappen was five seconds down in sixth when the first shower let up. By lap 28, Hamilton was attempting to hold onto the fast McLaren while preserving his tires, and Norris was ahead of him. Russell’s race came to an end on lap 34 when he had to pit and retire the vehicle due to a hydraulic issue.
Hamilton said that “the sun’s coming out” with fifteen seconds remaining. He, Verstappen, and Piastri all pitted together on lap 39. A lap later, Norris pulled into the pits, ceding the lead to Hamilton, who executed his final stint flawlessly, capping 56 races without a victory to an emotional welcome at home. The home audience roared as Hamilton fell into his father’s arms, sobbing.