Lewis Hamilton ignites Silverstone with record-breaking ninth win

Sunday 07 July 2024

An emotional Sir Lewis Hamilton won his ninth British Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, his first victory since December 2021. 

Following a historic pole for three lions George Russell, Sir Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, the 2024 British Grand Prix saw both drivers and fans dodging scattered showers against a backdrop of moody skies for the race weekend at Silverstone. 

Pole-sitter George Russell had the lead taken away by Hamilton as the race got underway, with the two Mercedes cars battling ahead of the McLaren pair as the rain rolled in. 

The field began to switch to intermediate tyres after the opening phase of the race, before the skies became dry and Hamilton made up pace, pitting for slicks one lap before Norris – who faced a slow pit stop – to become the new race leader. 

It was a disappointing Sunday for Russell, who retired from the race early with a water system issue. 

Verstappen snatched P2 from Norris, who was unable to regain the position, with Hamilton going on to claim a record ninth win in a single Grand Prix and his 104th win. 

“This is my last race here at the British Grand Prix with this team and I wanted to win it for them,” commented Hamilton, while speaking to Jenson Button after the race. 

The other McLaren of Oscar Piastri took fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth and an impressive Nico Hulkenberg in sixth for Haas. It was a better weekend than of late for Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso finishing in seventh and eighth respectively, while Alex Albon scored two valuable points for Williams in ninth. 

Charles Leclerc had a disappointing result, slipping backwards after an early change to intermediate tyres, and he eventually crossed the line in P14. 

The British Grand Prix serves to fire-up National Motorsport Week, running from 11-21 July, as events from grassroots level up are set to be celebrated across the country, across all of motorsport’s 13 disciplines.