Hamilton ends three-year drought with win at Silverstone

Silverstone. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) triumphed on house soil to win the Formulation 1 British Grand Prix after a spectacular rain-disturbed race at Silverstone on Sunday.

The British driver, who had not gained because the Saudi Arabian spherical in December 2021, had gone on a drought of 57 Grand Prix with no win earlier than he was in a position to obtain the 104th victory of his lengthy profession and the ninth in his house spherical, the place he had not gained since 2021.

On the rostrum of the day he surpassed the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Purple Bull), second, and the additionally British Lando Norris (McLaren), third.

Hamilton had began the race in second place on the grid behind his Mercedes teammate and compatriot George Russell, who was pressured to retire as a consequence of a hydraulic downside.

“Since 2021, day-after-day I’ve been combating, coaching and placing my thoughts on this objective, working as onerous as I might,” mentioned the winner of the day.

For Mercedes it’s the second consecutive victory, after Russell triumphed final Sunday in Austria.

For Hamilton (38 years previous), this victory had a really emotional part and he couldn’t maintain again the tears. He spent a couple of minutes with out getting out of his automotive on the finish of the race, earlier than starting to hug the members of his staff, which he’ll depart on the finish of the season after twelve years to go to Ferrari.

She additionally hugged her father, who was additionally current on the scene, in a robust hug.

– Verstappen, extra of a frontrunner –

“Since 2021, I’ve at all times fought to stay steadfast in my mission on this unimaginable staff. It was my final Grand Prix right here with them, I like them very a lot and I needed to do effectively. In fact, there isn’t any higher feeling than ending first right here, in entrance of your followers,” he mentioned, additionally crying with emotion, earlier than receiving the race winner’s trophy.

“I’ve at all times had nice individuals round me, individuals who have supported me like Toto [Wolff, patrón de la escudería]”I am very grateful to all the staff within the workshop. Thanks to everybody on the staff, to my buddies and to my followers everywhere in the world. It is unimaginable,” he added earlier than listening to the hymn “God Save the King” from the highest of the rostrum.

Hamilton took management of the race a 3rd of the way in which by, round lap 18, however was overtaken by Norris two laps later, earlier than the rain made its look.

A late and poorly executed pit cease by McLaren, when the solar had returned, allowed Hamilton to regain the lead with 12 laps to go. He was then in a position to maintain off his compatriot and Verstappen.

The Dutchman, who had began relatively poorly however benefited from the wonderful administration of his staff, took benefit to extend his broad lead within the World Championship standings by three factors, the place he now leads second place Lando Norris by 84 factors.

– Leclerc and Perez, with out factors –

Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), solely fourteenth on Sunday after his Scuderia’s poor selections, is third within the season standings, already 105 factors behind the chief.

In fourth place on this Sunday’s race was Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren), adopted by Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari).

Fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso managed to complete within the factors, with eighth place in his Aston Martin.

It was a really tough weekend for Mexican Sergio Pérez (Purple Bull), who began the race second to final and was solely in a position to end in seventeenth place.