Lewis Hamilton achieved a historic and emotional victory at the British Grand Prix on July 7, 2024, securing his ninth win at Silverstone and ending a 945-day winless streak that dated back to December 2021. This triumph extends Hamilton’s own record to 104 career Formula 1 victories and sets a new benchmark for the most wins at a single circuit.The seven-time world champion narrowly beat Max Verstappen, with Lando Norris completing the podium in third place. The race was marked by changing weather conditions, which significantly influenced strategic decisions. Mercedes capitalized on this with a spot-on strategy, particularly in tire management.The emotional weight of the moment was evident as Hamilton was seen in tears after the race, celebrating with his family, friends, and even rivals. In post-race interviews, Hamilton opened up about the mental health challenges he faced during his winless period, saying, ‘There were days when I couldn’t get out of bed. I thought this wouldn’t be possible. Now I’m glad I persisted’.This victory holds special significance as it will be one of Hamilton’s last races with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari next season. Hamilton expressed his gratitude to his team, saying, ‘This is my last race here with this team so I wanted to win this so much for them because I love them and I appreciate them so much’.Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the win as a ‘fairy tale,’ highlighting the team’s recent improvements and the weight lifted off Hamilton’s shoulders. The victory has also reignited discussions about Hamilton’s future in the sport, with some speculating about potential retirement plans.As Hamilton prepares for his move to Ferrari, this victory at Silverstone marks a significant moment in his career and in the current Formula 1 season, potentially shifting the dynamics of the championship battle and setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to his time with Mercedes.
Key points
- Lewis Hamilton won his ninth British Grand Prix, ending a 945-day winless streak.
- Hamilton openly discussed his mental health struggles during his winless period.
- This victory holds special significance as one of Hamilton’s last with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari.
- The win has reignited discussions about Hamilton’s future in Formula 1.
