Lewis Hamilton delivered a masterclass performance to win a thrilling British Grand Prix, his first victory since December 2021.
The seven-time world champion held off a late charge from Max Verstappen’s Red Bull to claim his 104th career win and ninth at Silverstone, surpassing the record for most wins at a single circuit.
Hamilton’s triumph was made all the sweeter as it came in his final British Grand Prix for Mercedes before his move to Ferrari next year. The Briton was visibly emotional as he crossed the finish line, his team congratulating him over the radio as he fought back tears.
“Ah, this means so much to me,” Hamilton said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I love you, Bono,” he added, addressing his engineer Peter Bonnington.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hailed the win as a “fairytale” for Hamilton and the team. “We’re absolutely delighted to see Lewis take his 104th victory,” Wolff said. “It’s a testament to his incredible talent and dedication.”
Verstappen, who had struggled with pace early in the race due to a wet track and a botched pit stop, staged a remarkable comeback to take second place from Norris in the final laps. Norris, meanwhile, secured third place ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz.
The result marks another chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious career, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. For Mercedes, it provides a welcome boost ahead of the summer break, with Hamilton set to make his Ferrari debut next year.
