The Silverstone crowd was treated to an F1 classic back in July. Qualifying saw Brits George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris make up the top 3, with championship leader Max Verstappen waiting in the wings in 4th.
The front four all started well and Verstappen asserted himself into the mix with a brilliant move on Norris on the opening lap.
The two Merecedes were coordinated, and maintained the British 1-2 to the delight of the home crowd.
Norris reestablished his hopes at Stowe on lap 15 with an excellent pass on Verstappen. Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren followed suit a lap later, moving up to 4th.
Rain Sends Race Into Reverse
At this point, rain rallied the crowd’s need for ponchos and each drivers’ pit wall was telling them to “survive” – conditions were slippery.
Sky Sports’ David Croft recalled Hamilton’s 2008 Silverstone masterclass as he reeled in Russell in the damp conditions and found himself leading the race 18 laps in.
3 corners later, both Mercedes ran wide at turn 1 to allow Norris past Russell and right back into the fight.
Norris then followed this up to become the race’s third leader in three laps, getting past Hamilton into turn 1. The crowd was electric – but completely unsure who to cheer for!
The Australian Piastri would then interrupt the British party, overtaking Russell and Hamilton to make it a McLaren 1-2, and becoming the races fourth leader only 23 laps in!
5 laps later, the rain was getting worse. Norris, Hamilton, Russell and Verstappen pitted for Intermediate tyres on lap 28, but Piastri stayed out – a strategical blunder from McLaren which would be the end of his victory hopes.
Hamilton’s race engineer made it clear to his driver: “Okay Lewis this is our time” was the call from Pete Bonnington.
Pit Stop Drama
It wasn’t so optimistic on the other side of the Mercedes garage, as Russell was forced to retire with a mechanical issue.
On lap 39 it was all action in the pits again, as both Hamilton and Verstappen pitted for Soft and Hard tyres respectively as the sun started beaming down at Silverstone.
Norris pitted a lap later, and the British crowd waited in anticipation to see which home favourite would emerge from the stops in the lead.
Hamilton would find himself a second ahead of Norris on lap 40, 12 laps away from his first Grand Prix victory since Saudi Arabia 2021.
Familiar Foe: The Final Stretch
The 39-year-old would use all his experience to build a small gap on Norris – who found himself looking in his mirrors on lap 48 when Verstappen flew past him at Stowe.
The remaining situation then – 5 laps left. 3 seconds separating previous rivals Hamilton and Verstappen.
A straight fight to the finish.
Spurred on by the home crowd, Hamilton held on to win his ninth British Grand Prix, to the elation of everyone viewing.
Bonnington’s traditional “get in there Lewis ” was loaded with tears, and Hamilton could barely get his words out in lieu of the emotion – “I can’t stop crying” he said in the cockpit in reaction to his win.
It was nothing short of sensational sport in what has been a pretty spectacular F1 season.
Pressing Issues 
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