Silverstone Circuit is historic in many ways. As the host of the first-ever F1 Grand Prix in 1950, the British track never disappoints. Not only is it the home of the beginning of the beloved racing series, but it is also the home race for many of the current drivers on the grid, making it a beloved circuit for more than a few reasons.
Sunday marked history as Lewis Hamilton managed to secure his 104th career win at his home race, his first win since the 2021 season. Hamilton managed to fend off Max Verstappen and fellow Brit Lando Norris to clinch the win, earning him the title as the driver with the most wins at a single circuit, surpassing Michael Schumacher.
Lewis Hamilton celebrating his first win in Formula 1 since 2021, marking history at the circuit. Courtesy of Mercedes Media Centre/LAT Images.
It has been a successful mid-season for Mercedes, as George Russell has managed to claim pole position at two races this season. The German team has managed to claim back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021. Russell was unlucky at his home race as he was forced to retire the car due to a water system issue.
It was an emotional return to the top step for Hamilton and there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the Mercedes garage. The British driver’s historic win was the perfect send-off at his last home race with the team he’s been with since 2013. The German team is where Hamilton claimed six of his seven career championship wins and it will be a bittersweet parting at the end of the 2024 season.
The race featured many different race leaders throughout the 52 laps, with Russell, Hamilton, Norris, and even Oscar Piastri maintaining the front of the pack. Verstappen almost claimed his next victory, as he ended up having the favorable tyre compound, but Hamilton once again showed his talent on the track, managing his tyres until the chequered flag.
Before the lights went out, the weekend offered many exciting moments. Qualifying placed all English drivers in the top three spots, creating a British lock-out for the first time at Silverstone. Russell claimed his second pole position of the season at his home race, with Hamilton and Norris following behind.
George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris fill up the top three spots in qualifying, making up a full British lock-out. Courtesy of Mercedes Media Centre/Sam Bloxham.
Despite their success in Monaco, Ferrari seems to be falling short in the past few weekends. Charles Leclerc made a Q2 exit, while Carlos Sainz only managed to secure seventh place in qualifying. The Italian team has been struggling despite managing to secure a podium finish in Austria.
Sainz did manage to convert his qualifying position into a fifth-place race finish, but it’s a far cry from where he was at the start of the season. While Mercedes seems to only be moving forward, Ferrari has stepped back in terms of race performance.
It was a day of mixed emotion for Norris, as he managed to lead the race for many laps, ultimately losing the position due to switching to a soft tyre after the rain had ceased. The tyres were not sustainable, causing Norris to fall back, ending in third place.
Norris hasn’t yet managed to secure another victory since his maiden win in Miami, but he has come extremely close. Each week, it seems the British driver is only narrowly missing his return to that top step. Norris claims he and the team are “not making the right decisions,” and hopefully McLaren can find their footing for the rest of the season.
Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris make up the podium spots at the British Grand Prix. Courtesy of Mercedes Media Centre/Jiri Krenek.
Hamilton’s win seems even more impressive considering he used the same tyre compound as Norris. He successfully kept a distance from Verstappen, however slim the gap was as the chequered flag was waved.
Silverstone rarely disappoints, and this year was no exception. With a new Brit joining the grid for 2025, next year’s race is even more anticipated, with questions of if another home race hero will manage to steal the top spot.
The British Grand Prix concluded the triple-header that began with Spain and Austria. The drivers will get a short break before Formula 1 returns at the Hungarian Grand Prix for round 13 of the 2024 season.
Edited by Breanna Ebisch
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