For the first time in three decades of career and after 344 Grands Prix, Lewis Hamilton was overcome with emotion as he crossed the finish line of the British Grand Prix on Sunday. This victory at Silverstone marks the end of a drought of 945 days without a victory for the British champion.
During his previous 103 Grand Prix victories, including those which allowed him to win titles and break records, Hamilton had always managed to contain his emotions. But this time it was different. Hamilton explained that when he crossed the finish line, he felt an emotional release that he had been holding back for a long time. “It was the most emotional ending to a victory I have ever experienced,” he said.
After a difficult year in 2021, where Hamilton and his team went through moments of doubt and frustration, this victory at Silverstone crowned constant efforts to return to the top. Sunday's race marked the end of a winless period dating back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
This winless period coincided with the introduction of new technical regulations that Red Bull knew how to master, propel Max Verstappen towards two more titles while Mercedes and Hamilton struggled to find the right formula. The seven-time champion's results have fallen, putting him closer to an increasingly competitive mid-table pack in 2022 and 2023.
Despite these difficulties, Hamilton persisted, battling inner demons and the technical challenges of his car. “There are so many times when you feel like your best efforts aren't enough,” he said, adding that mental health issues are a reality for many elite athletes.
Good that Hamilton decided to join Ferrari next year it was crucial for him to get a victory with Mercedes before leaving the team. Mercedes' renewed performance this season came too late for a real chance at the championship, but this victory at Silverstone had special meaning for the British driver.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, stressed the importance of this victory for Hamilton and the team. After two years of struggling to regain performance, seeing Hamilton win at home, in his last race with Mercedes in Britain, was “like a fairy tale”.
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Hamilton showed, once again, his exceptional talent and determination by resisting attacks from Max Verstappen et Lando Norris during the final laps of the race. This special victory, the 104th of his career, will be remembered as one of the most emotional for the British champion.