Lewis Hamilton could not stop crying after smashing 18-year Formula 1 record with stunning British Grand Prix triumph
Lewis Hamilton admitted he just couldn't stop the tears after winning his first Formula 1 race in almost three years at the British Grand Prix.
In an enthralling race at Silverstone, Hamilton once again emerged victorious on home soil - claiming a record-extending ninth British GP triumph and his first win for 945 days.
Hamilton held off a late charge from Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, with fellow Brit Lando Norris in third.
It was a fitting triumph and just what the 164,000 spectators at Silverstone wanted.
Hamilton embraced his father Anthony after stepping out of his Mercedes, hugging him for nearly 20 seconds before the sobbing Briton removed his crash helmet and balaclava, and wiped away tears.
Hamilton then jumped over a barrier and lapped up the adulation of the record crowd while draped in a Union Jack.
"I am still crying," he said, moments later. "There is no greater feeling than to finish at the front here. It is so tough for everyone. But the important thing is how you continue to get up and dig deep even when you feel like you're at the bottom of the barrel.
"There have definitely been days since 2021 where I didn't feel I was good enough or I would get back to where I am today but I have had great people around me and supporting me."
It's the first time Hamilton has won a Grand Prix since December 2021 and the seven-time world champion broke a few records in the process.
The 39-year-old is the oldest driver to win a Grand Prix in the 21st century and perhaps more impressively he's broken a long-standing record by Michael Schumacher.
This triumph is Hamilton's ninth at Silverstone, which is the most at a single circuit in F1 history.
He was tied with Schumacher, who set the record in 2006 with eight wins at the French Grand Prix.
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A tearful Hamilton said to his team on the radio after winning: "This means a lot guys."
Hamilton then said to Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington: "I love you Bono."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff joined the radio love-in, saying: "We never give up and what a sign-off for our last race at the British Grand Prix. We couldn't wish for anything better."
Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next season, said after the race: “This is my last race here with this team so I wanted to win this so much for them because I love them and I appreciate them so much and all the hard work they’ve been putting in over the years, I’m forever grateful to everyone at this team at Mercedes and all our partners.
“And to all our incredible fans, I could see you lap by lap as I was coming round and there’s just no greater feeling than to finish at the front here.
“It’s tough for anyone but the important thing is how you continue to get up and you’ve got to continue to dig deep even when you feeling the bottom of the barrel.
“There’s definitely been days between 2021 and here where I didn’t feel like I was good enough or if I was going to get back to where I am today but the important thing is I have great people around me continuing to support me and my team.
"Every time I turn up and see them and put in the effort that really encouraged me to do the same thing.
“My fans when I see them around the world they have been so supportive so a big thank you to everyone back at the factory and everyone here I love you guys.”
It looked as though Norris would secure his maiden success on home soil but he was left exposed by his flat-footed McLaren team in the changeable conditions.
As the Northamptonshire track dried out following a splurge of rain, Hamilton, trailing Norris by two seconds, peeled into the pit-lane to switch from intermediate tyres to the soft rubber.
Norris was critically left out one lap longer and when he emerged from the pits - after a sluggish 4.5 sec pit-stop - fellow Briton Hamilton had taken the lead to huge roars from the 164,000 sell-out crowd.
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Hamilton rolled back the years over the remaining dozen laps to take a memorable victory.
Teammate George Russell had earlier retired following a water system failure on his Mercedes.