Mercedes has rejuvenated into a lethal force as they took a second victory in a row. The crow in Silverstone erupted in joy as Lewis Hamilton took the chequered fag. The long wait was finally over, as the Briton won his first race since December 2021. Moreover, the seven-time world champion showcases his excellence, outmaneuvering the Red Bul starlet Max Verstappen.
This victory could be a turning point of this season for Hamilton, who is about to leave for Ferrari. Since the revelation of his joining the Marenlo squad, he has been adamant about finishing the final season with Mercedes on a high note. Thus, the Brit ran out of words after the race as he acknowledged the home crowd with a faltering voice.
Lewis Hamilton Ends 945-Day Wait, Takes the Chequered Flag in Front of Home Crowd
When Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line, a wave of joy ran through the grandstands. The spectators erupted, and Hamilton was finally relieved of the burden of not winning a race for over two years. Thus, despite being his 104th career win, it felt like his first victory. Moreover, this was his ninth silverware in front of his home fans, the record for most wins on a single circuit. He also became the first F1 driver to win races in 16 different seasons. The Briton endured a wet track and a challenge from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who were not far behind. The Red Bull triple champion finished 1.465 seconds behind the winner, further cementing his top spot on the leaderboard. On the other hand, McLaren’s rising sensation Lando Norris bagged another podium with his P3 finish.
Further, Mercedes had an excellent opportunity to win more points on the home track. However, the pole sitter, George Russel, had to retire early due to a suspected water system issue. Once Lewis Hamilton was in the lead, race engineer Peter Bonnington was heard on the team radio, motivating Hamilton to go for the win. After the historic victory, a sobbing Hamilton thanked the spectators as the grandstand cheered for their hero amidst interspersed showers. Further, during the pre-podium interview, he told Jenson Button about his overflowing emotions. Moreover, the 39-year-old Briton said this was his last Silverstone race with the Mercedes team, making it even more special. Ultimately, he lauded the team’s rigorous work, which usually goes unnoticed behind the curtains.
Mercedes’ Pit Stop’ Strategy Outsmarts McLaren To Change Its Plan
Lando Norris yet again lost a race from winning position. The McLaren driver was ahead of Hamilton, but Hamilton quickly overtook him due to the crew’s late pit stop call. The principal admitted the team’s fault, which cost them a few extra points.
After the race, Stella accepted the team’s change in their initial plan, as Hamilton used soft tyres. The confusion of using medium tires with a misjudgment of soft tires resulted in utter chaos. Moreover, he admitted that Hamilton’s soft tyre strategy influenced the pit crew, and the sudden change of plans backfired.