Lewis Hamilton breaks down in tears as he makes history with thrilling British GP win and ends 945-DAY drought
LEWIS HAMILTON broke down in tears as he toasted his NINTH British Grand Prix win.
The Mercedes driver was overcome with emotion as he finished on the top of the podium for the first time in 945 days with a record-breaking victory at Silverstone.
The British driver overtook Michael Schumacher’s record for most wins at a single circuit (8) with his first win since Saudi Arabia 2021.
Hamilton, who was in tears over the radio, said: “It means so much. Thanks to everyone.”
Rain wreaked havoc throughout the race as Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris vied for the lead in the opening laps.
You can write Max Verstappen off at your own peril though as the Red Bull shark hunted down his prey to overtake Norris late on and finish in second leaving the McLaren driver in third.
It was a nightmare afternoon for George Russell who was forced to retire his Mercedes with 18 laps to go due to a water systems issue after securing pole-position yesterday.’
Mereceds went away in formation but Lando Norris lost third-place to Verstappen, who had finished qualifying in fifth, on the opening lap.
Norris hit back strongly, ferociously bulldozing past Verstappen on lap 15 as the two battled it out once again.
More misery hit for Verstappen who was in the clutches of the other McLaren, Oscar Piastri who overtook on lap 17.
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The rain lashed down, but it was no match for Hamilton who made his move and nudged into the lead ahead of his teammate Russell on lap 18.
Only a lap later and the drama continued as BOTH Mercedes ran across the run-off at Turn One before swiftly rejoining, while Norris snatched second-place.
Norris snapped at the heels of Hamilton and pounced into the top spot heading into Turn One of lap 20.
Piastri was then hounding his McLaren teammate Norris for the lead, who pitted, while the Australian driver stayed out.
He was made to pay for staying out on the wrong tyres and fell into sixth after finally pitting.
Verstappen was back in the race in third while Hamilton was told “this is our time” on his Mercedes team radio.
Mercedes were forced to retire Rusell’s car and Hamilton was slowly catching Norris taking advantage of the McLaren man staying out for an extra lap on old tyres before a slow pit stop to take the lead.
The 39-year-old battled it out against the whipper snapper, but Verstappen was hunting down the top two.
The Dutchman was just 4.4 seconds behind the Mercedes with seven laps to go and with three laps remaining he shimmied beyond Norris to take second-place and was chipping away at Hamilton.
But every fan was out of their seat as Hamilton crossed the line.
Another piece of history was also made as Hamilton is the first driver to win a race after surpassing 300 Grands Prix starts.
It is a huge weekend for English sports fans after Gareth Southgate’s men beat Switzerland to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday evening.
And Hamilton’s victory will be a nice omen for England’s football team as he fended off Dutch rival Verstappen – with Southgate’s side taking on the Netherlands in Germany on Wednesday.