MOTORSPORT: Emotional Hamilton wins British GP

Lewis Hamilton has made an emotional return to the top step of the Formula 1 podium, winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone for a record-breaking ninth time.

With wet weather putting teams to the test, the Mercedes crew picked the perfect tyre strategy, handing the Ferrari-bound pilot his 104th career victory and 199th podium.

In ending his 56-race winless streak in his 344th race, Hamilton became the oldest F1 race winner in the 21st century, and also the first driver to ever score success beyond their 300th race start.

Remarkably, the win came 17 years and one month since his breakthrough victory in Canada in 2007, breaking Kimi Raikkonen’s previous record of 15 years between his first and most recent wins.

“I can’t stop crying. It’s been since 2021. Every day getting up, trying to fight, to train, to put my mind to the task and work as hard as I can with this amazing team,” said Hamilton.

“This is my last race here at the British Grand Prix with this team, so I wanted to win this so much for them, because I love them, I appreciate them so much. All the hard work they’ve been putting in all over these years.

“I’m forever grateful to everyone in this team, everyone at Mercedes, all of our partners.

“Otherwise, to all our incredible fans… I could see you lap by lap as I was coming around, and there’s just no greater feeling [than] to finish at the front here.”

Polesitter George Russell (Mercedes) led the field away, with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) the biggest mover from the start, jumping ahead of Lando Norris (McLaren) for third.

The opening stages of the race were relatively sedate until Norris re-passed Verstappen on lap 15 of 52, while two circuits later Oscar Piastri (McLaren) repeated the move on the world champion at Stowe Corner as the heavens opened.

The next time by, Hamilton swept into the lead past Russell at the same spot, before on lap 19 both of the Mercedes speared wide at the opening corner in the increasingly slick conditions, which allowed Norris through to second.

With supreme confidence on the wet track, Norris claimed the lead the next time by, while Piastri stormed into second.

Verstappen was the first of the leaders to flinch when he stopped for intermediate tyres on lap 27, while Piastri’s long strategy was ultimately to his detriment.

The next twist came on lap 34 when Russell retired with a suspected water system issue, while Mercedes was kept busy and became the first team to swap back to slick tyres with Hamilton on lap 39.

Running long on the circuit and in his pit box proved costly for Norris, who slotted in behind Hamilton on lap 40 after switching back to slicks.

On lap 48, Verstappen breezed past Norris at Stowe to claim second position.

Hamilton held on for the victory from Verstappen, Norris and Piastri, who continued his streak of completing every racing lap of the season to date.

Carlos Sainz came home fifth for Ferrari, followed by the impressive Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), the Aston Martins of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, then Alex Albon, who survived a first corner tangle in his Williams, with the points finishers rounded out by Yuki Tsunoda (RB).

Daniel Ricciardo, aboard the other RB, was classified 13th.

Following a weekend off, Formula 1 returns with the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 21.

2024 British Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

Related: MOTORSPORT: Russell wins wild Austrian GPRelated: MOTORSPORT: Verstappen wins in SpainRelated: MOTORSPORT: Verstappen wins in Canada

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