Hamilton Secures Emotional Home Win at Silverstone
In a thrilling Formula 1 Grand Prix of Great Britain, Lewis Hamilton claimed his first victory since Saudi Arabia 2021, ending a 56-race drought. The Mercedes driver’s brilliant drive, combined with clever strategy calls from the pit wall, secured a record ninth win at Silverstone.
Hamilton, who was emotional in the post-race interview, credited his team’s hard work and dedication, saying, “Today means so much… it’s the most incredible honour to be standing on the top step of the podium at Silverstone.” He also praised the Silverstone crowd, stating, “The crowd here makes it extra special, and it was an amazing drive.“
Meanwhile, pole-sitter George Russell’s day was cut short due to a suspected water leak, forcing him into retirement on Lap 35. Despite the disappointment, Russell was gracious in defeat, congratulating Hamilton on his victory and acknowledging the team’s progress.
Mercedes’ dominance was evident, with the team securing a one-two finish last weekend in Austria. The win marks a significant turnaround for the team, which has struggled to match the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari earlier in the season.
In other news, Max Verstappen finished second, praising Red Bull’s strategy calls, which helped him recover from a disappointing start. The Dutch driver’s result extended his Championship lead, with teammate Sergio Perez finishing a disappointing 17th.
The midfield battle saw AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda secure points, while Williams’ Alex Albon finished ninth, with teammate Logan Sargeant just outside the points in 11th.
After a low-key race, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas finished 15th, with teammate Zhou Guanyu trailing home last. The Swiss team continues to struggle, with upgrades expected to arrive soon.
Mario Isola, Motorsport Director, praised the tyre strategy, saying, “We witnessed a very exciting Grand Prix… it was a testing weekend for us because we put almost our entire range of tyres to the test in different conditions.“
The next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is the Hungarian Grand Prix, where teams will look to build on their performances at Silverstone.
Formula 1 Standings:
- Max Verstappen – 257 points
- Lewis Hamilton – 234 points
- Sergio Perez – 224 points
Formula 1 Calendar:
Next race: Hungarian Grand Prix – August 2-4, 2024
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