Lewis Hamilton’s emotional victory at the British Grand Prix on July 7, 2024, marked a historic moment in Formula 1 history. Hamilton became the first F1 driver to win nine times at a single track, extending his record to 104 career wins. More significantly, he broke Kimi Räikkönen’s record to become the oldest winner of the 21st century. This triumph came after a 1,000-day winless streak, during which Hamilton faced significant mental health challenges.The race was characterized by changing weather conditions, which played a crucial role in strategic decisions. Mercedes and Hamilton capitalized on these conditions, making all the right moves and changing tires at the optimal moments. Hamilton narrowly beat Max Verstappen, with Lando Norris completing the podium.In post-race interviews, Hamilton opened up about his struggles during the 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’. The emotional weight of the moment was evident as Hamilton addressed the crowd, saying, ‘I’m still crying… There’s definitely been days between 2021 and here when I didn’t feel I was good enough’.While Hamilton celebrated, Red Bull faced challenges. Despite finishing second, Verstappen’s performance was described as ‘strange’ by team principal Christian Horner. The team’s other driver, Sergio Perez, is under increasing pressure after failing to score points for the third time in five races. McLaren showed promise but made crucial mistakes in pit stops and tire strategy, potentially costing them a win.This victory holds special significance as it will be one of Hamilton’s last races with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari next season. As the 2024 Formula 1 season progresses, this win could mark a shift in the championship dynamics, with Red Bull’s dominance being challenged and the field closing in.
Key points
- Lewis Hamilton won his ninth British Grand Prix, becoming the oldest winner of the 21st century in Formula 1.
- Hamilton’s victory ended a 1,000-day winless streak and he opened up about mental health struggles during this period.
- Red Bull faced challenges with Verstappen finishing second and Perez under pressure after another poor performance.
- The victory could mark a shift in the 2024 Formula 1 season dynamics, with Red Bull’s dominance being challenged.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Hamilton’s win positively, there are conflicting reports about Red Bull’s performance, with some describing it as ‘strange’ while others praise their strategic decisions.
