Lewis Hamilton achieved a remarkable victory at Silverstone on Sunday, his first win since 2021, before an ecstatic home crowd. The win came after a challenging period filled with doubts and obstacles for the Mercedes driver, who will be switching to Ferrari next year.

Tough Years for Hamilton

Hamilton has endured a difficult few years since losing his eighth world title in the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi race. His Mercedes team struggled with bouncing cars and disappointing performances while Max Verstappen dominated. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton decided to join Ferrari starting in 2025.

Victory at Silverstone

The weather conditions at Silverstone were harsh, with mud and rain affecting the track. British fans braved the weather to support their favorite driver. Hamilton, who had previously achieved 103 victories in his career, described this win as one of his most emotional. After the race, he said, “This one feels really different.” The presence of his family, including nieces and nephews, made it particularly special.

First ‘God Save the King’

For the first time in his career, Hamilton heard ‘God Save the King’ on the podium. The last time he won, in 2021, Queen Elizabeth was still the head of state. The change in the national anthem highlighted how long it had been since Hamilton’s last victory.

Doubts and Mental Challenges

Hamilton admitted that the past few years had been mentally tough. Despite his seven world titles, he began to doubt himself. “I had long felt that my best was no longer good enough,” he said. He appreciated the increasing attention to mental health issues and revealed that there were moments when he thought he would never win again. The relief and emotions after his victory manifested in tears.

Decisive Pit Stop

The British Grand Prix had everything: overtakes, rain, dry conditions, and strategic decisions. Hamilton clinched the race with a decisive pit stop, allowing him to keep Norris behind. Ultimately, it was Verstappen he had to fend off. “I gave it my all, even as the tires started to go,” Hamilton said.

Future with Ferrari

Despite Ferrari’s poor performance this season, Hamilton does not regret his decision. “No, I made that decision at the start of this season when we weren’t even close to winning with our car,” he explained. He did not want to leave Mercedes on a low note, and now he has succeeded.

Looking Ahead to the European Championship

After the race, Hamilton and teammate George Russell watched the European Championship quarter-final, where England won against Switzerland on penalties, with 20,000 fans. Hamilton, who knows a few Dutch phrases, is looking forward to the semi-final against the Netherlands.

An Evening with Curry

Before fully focusing on the semi-final, Hamilton had other plans. “Tonight I’m going for a nice curry. I love Indian food,” he said.

The victory at Silverstone marks a high point after a long period of challenges for Hamilton, and the British public once again had the chance to cheer for their favorite driver.