After waiting two years, seven months and two days, the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton returns to the podium’s top step to win his 104th Grand Prix. And to make the feeling for the Stevenage driver even more special, Hamilton took the chequered flag in front of his adoring home fans at the British Grand Prix. And a race that would reignite Hamilton’s confidence in the future, as the 9-time British Grand Prix winner is now only one point behind his team-mate George Russell in the Drivers Championship. As well as, Mercedes trailing their customer team McLaren by 74 points.
And as we cross into the second half of the season, is this the beginning of the Mercedes reemergence or is this victory a strike of luck given by the conditions that transpired around the Silverstone Circuit? Let’s find out…
George Russel starts First, Lewis Hamilton starts Second
Both Mercedes dominated Qualifying and now the real test began, Sunday’s Grand Prix. Lap 1 saw both drivers escape the Turn 1 drama unscathed as the Silver Arrows made their way in the distance. But it is one thing to create distance between yourself and the driver behind. Lap 18 became the first highlight of the Mercedes drivers fighting for the lead in the Grand Prix as Russell was struggling with the rainfall increasing. Heading down the Hanger Straight, Hamilton was close to enabling DRS and overtaking his team-mate before Stowe, taking the lead of the Grand Prix.
The Rain starts to get Heavier
Lap 19 and only four turns after Hamilton overtook Russell, Mother Nature played her part in the race as the rain increased. The consequence? Both Mercedes ran wide at Abbey, missing Farm corner and rejoining back onto the track at Village. A clear indicator that the Mercedes drivers were beginning to struggle in the changing conditions. Leaving them vulnerable to their customer team, McLaren and within the space of one lap, Norris overtakes Russell at The Loop turn and Hamilton on the Hamilton Straight starting Lap 20.
To make matters worse for the Brackley team, Piastri would follow suit and on Lap 20, Oscar dispatched Russell at The Loop turn (same as Norris) and Hamilton on the Hanger Straight making it a McLaren 1-2 by the end of Lap 20.
The Risky Change to Intermediates
With another rain cloud expected to arrive at the circuit, McLaren and Mercedes both chose to box at the end of Lap 27, even though Piastri stayed out which soon became the wrong call. Both teams opted for the Intermediate tyre as parts of the track were extremely challenging to conquer on Dry tyres. By the end of Lap 28, Piastri pits for the Intermediate tyres as Norris closed the gap down 1.1 seconds showing the decision for teams to run the Intermediate tyre was the right call. But as some parts of the track were still dry it was crucial to keep the tyres in good shape. And by Lap 29, Mercedes drivers were running Second (Hamilton) and Fourth (Russell).
Car 63 Retires
At Lap 34, George Russell heads to the pits. For what reason? Another change of tyres? No. The Mercedes pit wall instructs Russell to retire the car. As Pit Lane Commentator, Ted Kravitz discovered that Russell’s gremlin was down to a water pressure issue. An issue which would have led to the W15 overheating. Which would leave the 39-year-old driver to fight for the glory for not only himself but for Mercedes, alone.
From Wet to Dry
With the sun glazing the track and surface beginning to dry up, the call from wet to dry opened up as, Hamilton, Verstappen and Piastri pitted on Lap 39. All three opted for different tyre compounds. Hamilton put on a set of Used Softs, Verstappen brand new Hard tyres and Piastri pitted for a brand set of Medium compound tyres. Three different ideologies in the quest to win the Grand Prix. However, Norris waited one lap later to pit in the bid to challenge Hamilton, as McLaren fitted Norris with a Used set of Soft tyres. But Norris missed his pit by a few metres which cost him time and as he came out of the pit, the lead changed hands as Lewis Hamilton gained the lead of the British Grand Prix. A costly error that would see Norris’s ambitions get more soar every lap.
From Lap 40 to 52
The only action that spurred on tension was the fight for second as Hamilton was clear upfront, with Norris and Verstappen fighting for those crucial 18 points. But for Norris, his Used Softs could not tolerate the overgrowing challenge of Max brand new Hard tyres and by Lap 48, Norris could only witness the three-time world champion pass him on the outside of Stowe. For Norris his winning aspirations would be thrown away and for Max, it was a chance to spoil the British celebrations in the bid to chase down the other British driver Lewis Hamilton.
And by Lap 49 the gap between Hamilton and Verstappen was 3.3 seconds. Would we see the old wounds of their 2021 rivalry reopen? The answer is no. Mercedes gave all the power in reserve they had to keep the Raging Bull of the Flying Dutchman from stealing the win and with a gap down to 1.5 seconds, Verstappen’s charge was not enough, as for the ninth time in his career Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. A win that create a wave of emotion for the now 104-time Grand Prix winner.
And in true British style, Hamilton would collect the flag of the Union Jack and hold it high as he soaked up the atmosphere heading back down to the pit lane. A win that would re-open seven-time world champions confidence heading into the second half of the season. And next year, Ferrari.
Ending
In a win according to Lewis Hamilton, “it means a lot” the seven-time world champion opened up about being battle-scarred from his duel in 2021 with Max Verstappen up to his 104th Grand Prix win:
“It was so difficult over the last two years that we couldn’t really find performance and couldn’t give the drivers a car that enabled them to go for the victories.” – Stated by Lewis Hamilton’s Team Principal, Toto Wolff.
For Hamilton, it was an emotional let go:
“So to have this feeling come across the line, I think, honestly, I’ve never cried coming from a win. It just came out of me. And it’s a really, really great feeling. I’m very, very grateful for it.” – Hamilton addressing Sky Sports F1.
So with this victory comes the safe confidence that Hamilton can deliver results even under the stress of a car that is still behind in the developmental race with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. And for Ferrari, it will be a confidence booster for Fred Vassuer as his investment for the 2025 Formula 1 season still can reach the top step of the podium. But for Hamilton, his ambition is not just achieve a race win at Ferrari, but also glory, to return Ferrari to the top spot of constructors and for himself to fight for an eighth crown within Formula 1.
But for now, Hamilton will have to continue showing his calibre on track before his switch to the Scarlet Red team.
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Uncovering The Secrets of the British Grand Prix” or “Austrian Grand Prix: Hight Speeds in the Heart of Styria”
Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
