In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton clinched his first victory since 2021, surpassing Max Verstappen in a thrilling race at Silverstone. This win marked Hamilton’s record-breaking ninth triumph at the iconic circuit, ending a 56-race drought and igniting celebrations among the home crowd.
Starting second on the grid, Hamilton overtook teammate George Russell on lap 18. Despite briefly losing the lead to Lando Norris, a slow pit stop by McLaren allowed Hamilton to regain the front position with 12 laps remaining. He maintained his lead to finish 1.465 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who managed to overtake Norris three laps from the finish. This victory not only extended Hamilton’s record to 104 career wins but also solidified his status as the most successful driver at a single venue.
The emotional win was particularly poignant for Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in the upcoming season. Reflecting on the achievement, he expressed gratitude to his team and fans, stating, “This is my last race for the team here. I love them so much. I’ll be forever grateful to everyone at Mercedes and to the incredible fans.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s second-place finish extended his lead in the drivers’ standings, despite failing to secure a win for the second consecutive race. The race also saw Oscar Piastri of McLaren finishing fourth, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari in fifth, and Nico Hulkenberg of Haas in sixth.
This unexpected victory by Hamilton not only reignited his championship aspirations but also added a dramatic twist to the ongoing rivalry with Verstappen, setting the stage for an exhilarating remainder of the season.