Hamilton's win at Silverstone marked the end of a 945-day victory drought
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
SILVERSTONE, England — For the first time in an illustrious career spanning three decades and 344 Grands Prix, Lewis Hamilton was visibly emotional as he crossed the finish line at Sunday's Formula One British Grand Prix.
In his previous 103 victories, including those that cemented championships and shattered records, Hamilton maintained his composure. However, this triumph at Silverstone felt different.
"When I came across that line, something released in me that I guess I've been holding on to for a long time," Hamilton revealed Sunday evening. "It was the most emotional end to a win that I've ever experienced. I've always wondered why I never cry, and I always thought it doesn't happen to me, but it hit me hard this time."
Hamilton's win at Silverstone marked the end of a 945-day victory drought, a winless period that began after his last win during the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Reflecting on those trying years, he noted, "After such a difficult year in 2021, we just tried to continue to come back. We, as a team, have had a really difficult time, and there were just so many thoughts and doubts in my mind, to the point of, at times wanting to not continue. So to arrive, to continue to get up, and to finally succeed, is honestly the greatest feeling I can remember having."
The victory was seen by many as a form of redemption after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Hamilton lose out on an eighth world title due to decisions by then-race director Michael Masi—later deemed human error by the FIA.
"I think only time will tell," Hamilton said when asked if this win was the final piece of his healing process from those events.
Despite his emotional journey, Hamilton is also looking ahead with his move to Ferrari next year. "Honestly, when I came back in 2022, I thought that I was over it," he confessed. "But I know I wasn't, and it's taken a long time to heal that kind of feeling. I've just been continuing to try and work on myself and find that inner peace day by day."
Hamilton's recent struggles were also compounded by technical issues. The new set of technical regulations introduced in 2022 saw Red Bull dominate while Mercedes faced a period of trial and error. Hamilton's performance slumped, placing him in a competitive midfield pack throughout 2022 and 2023. "There's so many times where you feel like your best shot is just not good enough," Hamilton admitted, touching on the mental health challenges he faced during this period.
Although Hamilton insists his decision to move to Ferrari next year was unrelated to his recent form, there was growing concern he might leave Mercedes without another victory. Expressing his relief, Hamilton remarked, "When we started the season, we weren't anywhere near looking like we would ever get a win through the year. So not leaving on a low, but leaving on a high, which has been our goal."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has witnessed the highs and lows of Hamilton's career, shared his pride in the team's journey. "It was so difficult over the last two years that we couldn't really find performance. And to make him win again, the British Grand Prix, in his last race for Mercedes here, it's almost like a little fairytale," Wolff said.
Indeed, Hamilton's ability to hold off Verstappen and Lando Norris in the final stint of the race served as a powerful reminder of his exceptional skill and determination.
Reflecting on the significance of his win, Hamilton said, "That's the longest stint that I've not had a win, 945 days, and a lot of emotion has accumulated over that time. So this one feels like it could be one of the most special ones for me ... if not the most special one."
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