Formula 1 lessons from Silverstone
Hamilton writes “fairytale”, Red Bull star experiences “nightmare”
08.07.2024, 06:38
Lewis Hamilton has to wait almost a thousand days before he wins another Formula 1 race: The record world champion triumphs at his home race in Silverstone, of all places, and finally secures a new record. In Hamilton’s slipstream, Nico Hülkenberg drives the next small victory in the field of those left behind. Meanwhile, things are rumbling at Red Bull. Series world champion Max Verstappen is no longer unbeatable at the front, and his team-mate Sergio Perez is apparently fearing for his job.
Lewis Hamilton writes a “fairytale”
He simply remains the man of records. Hamilton’s seven Formula 1 world championships and 104 Grand Prix victories and pole positions were joined on Sunday by two new records with his Silverstone victory: The 39-year-old won for the ninth time in the “Home of British Motor Racing”; no other driver in almost 75 years of Formula 1 has triumphed as often on a single track. And: 17 years and one month lie between Hamilton’s first victory in Canada in 2007 and his most recent triumph, which is also a record.
Above all, Hamilton has proven to himself that he can still do it after the controversial loss of the 2021 World Championship to Max Verstappen and an incredible 945 days without a race win. His team boss Toto Wolff spoke of a “fairytale”, Sebastian Vettel hailed his friend and former rival as the “GOAT”, the greatest of all time. Hamilton himself said with relief: “I have never cried before when I won. It just came out of me.”
McLaren deprives itself of victory
While Hamilton hugged everyone who crossed his path with the British flag on his shoulders, Norris withdrew shortly after the race and mourned his lost opportunity. In the rain and tire poker, the fan favorite and his team made a decision that cost them the longed-for home victory. Even though Norris is now a contender for victory on every track and at least finished third on Sunday, frustration reigned: “We were the fastest, but we didn’t win. That’s very disappointing.” All of that would be bearable, but it’s not the first time it’s happened. McLaren has the speed, but that’s why they’re not an absolute top team.
Verstappen struggles, but is the best
The World Championship lead over Norris has been extended to 84 points, and second place was achieved on a difficult race weekend under adverse conditions – but in Max Verstappen’s world, you need a little more to leave satisfied. The Red Bull star struggled with the inconsistency and brutality of his racing car and was looking for his old dominance. That is gone, but in the expanded top of Formula 1 with himself, as well as the two McLarens, Mercedes and Ferrari, no one has as much nerves of steel and is as consistent as him. And so the Dutchman remains the logical World Championship favorite. With twelve Grand Prix to go, he could afford three clear laps and still be in front. World Championship title number four beckons.
Sergio Perez experiences expensive “nightmare”
Anyone who lists the contenders for victory in Formula 1 is currently omitting the name of Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez. The Mexican was never able to keep up with the Dutchman in three and a half years together, but the performance gap this year is so blatant that even despite Verstappen’s clear lead in the drivers’ championship, winning the constructors’ championship seems to be in jeopardy. In Silverstone, Perez once again messed up in qualifying, put everything on the line with his tire strategy in the race and chugged across the finish line in 17th place, two laps behind Hamilton.
Apparently there is a contract clause that would allow Red Bull to part ways with him without notice in the summer despite his contract running until the end of 2026. According to this, Perez can save himself on his own if he goes into the summer break with a maximum of 100 points behind Verstappen – two races before the break, he is 137. “It was simply a nightmare of a race,” commented Perez.
Things are going well for Hülkenberg
Nico Hülkenberg has not managed two top-six results in a row for almost six years. It is therefore all the more logical that the man from Emmerich enjoys astonishing the experts with his constantly improving Haas. Does Hülkenberg sometimes look ahead to 2025? Then he will drive for Sauber, which will be the Audi factory team from 2026. The opportunities in a factory team are greater, and Hülkenberg’s income will also increase, but at the moment Sauber is still last without a single World Championship point. Hülkenberg, however, has already brought Haas significantly forward.