The fist raised and a cry of rage to celebrate a stunning victory, at home, in front of a crowd of 140,000 people in delirium, and a beautiful communion with these supporters, on the lawn in front of the stands. Lewis Hamilton took advantage of these old-world moments to celebrate his victory, Sunday, July 18, at the British Grand Prix, his eighth success on the Silverstone circuit since the start of his career.
By winning, Hamilton revived the drivers ‘and constructors’ championship, dominated for several weeks by the Red Bull team. The latter had reshuffled the cards of the world of Formula 1 since the start of the season, depriving Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes of success for five Grands Prix, while Mercedes’ hegemony over the discipline has now lasted for seven years. It was counting without the self-sacrifice of Lewis Hamilton.
Incredible scenes at Silverstone! Lewis Hamilton wins his 8th British Grand Prix ???????? #BritishGP ?? # F1 https://t.co/vv6jF6q2Hh
No doubt this Grand Prix will be remembered as the moment when the rivalry between Lewis Hamliton and Max Verstappen took on a whole new dimension. From the first lap of the race, the Dutch driver of the Red Bull team was forced to retire after a collision with the Briton in turn no 6.
It was in this same turn that Lewis Hamilton caught Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by surprise to regain the lead of the race two laps from the end, after respecting a ten second penalty. Lewis Hamilton has come back from the devil Vauvert and is now getting closer to Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings: the Briton reduced the gap with the Dutchman from 33 points to 8 small units at the end of this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton was skeptical just before the start of the race, praising Red Bull’s performance: “We will try to solve our problems and find solutions. But for now, they are too fast. ” ” I am so happy. I have given everything this week to perform and I am proud of the way people have worked in the team. (…) It doesn’t matter if I agree with the penalty, I didn’t give up “, he said just after the race.
Mercedes more focused on 2022
Determined to stifle the emergence of young Max Verstappen, the Briton has no plans to cede anything to Red Bull and his flagship driver. And this even if Mercedes is focusing more on the 2022 season, during which regulatory changes will be made, even if it does not further improve the car of the seven-time world champion this year.
“This season it’s been a great battle between Verstappen and me, with cars that are very, very close in terms of performance. But obviously the wheel has turned. (…) If we don’t develop and improve our car for the rest of the year, these are the results that you will continue to see ”, noted Lewis Hamilton after the victory of Max Verstappen at the Styrian Grand Prix on June 27.
For its part, Red Bull seems to bet everything on this 2021 season to seek world championship titles that have eluded it since 2013. Max Verstappen was still measured on the situation of his rivals, after his success in Austria at the end of June: “I’m sure Mercedes won’t let go. “
The Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break
The Dutch driver did not think so well put it and Mercedes is the big winner, with Lewis Hamilton, of this British Grand Prix. The German team are back to a very small point behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Everything is therefore relaunched in both categories, drivers and manufacturers, especially as the Mercedes team is used to ending its seasons better than it is starting them. Lewis Hamilton took advantage of this this weekend and hopes that this victory will create good momentum when it comes to the Hungarian Grand Prix in two weeks.
This will be the last race before the four-week summer break. Precious time for the two teams and the two rival drivers to think about how best to approach the second part of one of the most exciting Formula 1 seasons of recent years.