Lewis Hamilton returned to winning ways for the first time since the 2021 Formula 1 season, recording a record ninth victory on the Silverstone Circuit in front of cheering home crowds attending the British Grand Prix on Sunday, July 7.
In an action-packed race, pole-sitter George Russell initially led the field, but a fierce battle quickly developed between the Mercedes cars and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri amidst changing weather conditions.
As the race progressed, drivers began switching to intermediate tyres, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Lewis Hamilton ultimately capitalised by pitting for slicks one lap before Norris, who suffered a slow pit stop, to take the race lead when the track dried.
Russell was forced to retire due to a water system issue, and Max Verstappen overtook Norris in the latter stages to secure second place. Hamilton held his position to claim an emotional victory, marking a record ninth win in a single Grand Prix and his first since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Despite gaining speed on hard tyres in the final laps, Verstappen did not have enough time to fight for the lead and subsequently settled for a second place finish, while Norris completed the podium.
Meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget for Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who initially made gains but fell back after an early switch to intermediate tyres, ultimately finishing in a less than ideal 14th place.
The next stop of this increasingly more interesting season will see the paddock travel to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 21.
Featured image courtesy of @LewisHamilton on X
