It got here dwelling.
Certain England continues to be alive within the Euros, after a victory over Switzerland on penalties Saturday that superior the Three Lions into the semi-finals the place they may face The Netherlands on Wednesday. However one thing else got here dwelling on English soil Sunday.
As Lewis Hamilton lastly climbed again to the highest step of a Formulation 1 podium, doing so on the British Grand Prix.
The final time Hamilton reached the highest step? That got here on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the fifth of December, 2021. A lot has modified since then, beginning with the truth that per week later Max Verstappen beat Hamilton to the checkered flag on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — in controversial style many can be fast to level out — to seize his first F1 Drivers’ Championship. However this victory has been a very long time coming for Hamilton.
Nevertheless it lastly got here.
Because the groups battled difficult climate circumstances, which included two totally different spurts of rain at Silverstone, the second lasting longer and creating slicker circumstances on the observe, Hamilton and Mercedes made a sequence of spectacular technique calls. The second was when the staff made the choice to pit one lap sooner than race chief Lando Norris, bolting on a set of sentimental tires to final the seven-time champion to the checkered flag. Norris got here in for his personal set of softs on the next lap however was left helpless as Hamilton rocketed by him as he lumbered out of the McLaren pit field.
That arrange a captivating end, with Hamilton forward of Norris and the ever-dangerous Max Verstappen on the prowl behind the British duo in third place. For a second it appeared to be Verstappen who would come out with the win, as Purple Bull made the choice to bolt on a set of arduous tires and people gave the impression to be working higher for Verstappen than the softs had been for Hamilton, and Norris. On Lap 48 Verstappen wound by Norris, advancing into second place with simply Hamilton in entrance of him.
However Hamilton had a three-second hole over his rival, and with only a handful of laps remaining the Mercedes driver had the benefit, and one hand on the Royal Vehicle Membership Trophy. Might he maintain off his rival, or would Verstappen deny Hamilton his 104th profession victory?
The roar of the gang at Silverstone advised the ultimate story.
As Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian Might waved the checkered flag, it was Hamilton who crossed the road first. Verstappen was capable of chip away at Hamilton’s benefit during the last two laps, however he couldn’t get to the rear wing of Hamilton’s W15.
A win years within the making had lastly come dwelling and on British soil. Lewis Hamilton had captured the 2024 British Grand Prix.
As Hamilton crossed the road, you can hear the emotion within the driver’s voice has he acquired the congratulations from his staff. He was handed the Union Jack as he reached Becketts Nook on his cooldown lap, and he waved it proudly as he introduced his race-winning W15 again to pit lane.
An iconic picture, on an iconic day, in what’s turning into an iconic F1 season.
