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Lewis Hamilton Achieves Record-Extending 104th Victory in F1 with Ninth British GP Win
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    Lewis Hamilton Achieves Record-Extending 104th Victory in F1 with Ninth British GP Win

    SILVERSTONE, England — Lewis Hamilton held off Max Verstappen’s late charge to win a thrilling British Grand Prix on Sunday and secure his first victory since the penultimate race of the 2021 season.

    Hamilton became the first F1 driver to win on any track nine times and also extended his F1 record to 104 wins. His last came at the Saudi Arabian GP in December 2021 — the year he lost the title to Red Bull driver Verstappen.

    The seven-time F1 champion beat defending champion Verstappen by 1.5 seconds, with Lando Norris finishing third for McLaren ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

    A tearful-sounding Hamilton thanked his team over radio and was still emotional several minutes later as he struggled to compose himself.

    “I’m still crying,” Hamilton said as he addressed the crowd. “There’s definitely been days between 2021 and here when I didn’t feel I was good enough.”

    There were high hopes for a home win at Silverstone, with Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell on pole position ahead of Hamilton and with Norris going from third and Verstappen fourth.

    Russell’s hopes of a second straight F1 win ended on Lap 34 of 52 with a suspected water system issue on his car. A few laps later, McLaren botched Norris’ tire change.

    Verstappen overtook Norris with four laps left but could not catch Hamilton, to the delight of most of the 164,000 fans attending the race.

    Moments after crossing the line, Hamilton jumped into the arms of mechanics and then shared a long hug with his father. Then it was time to absorb the applause from the home fans. Carrying a British flag he jumped over a crash barrier and then held it aloft.

    “I can see you lap by lap, there’s just no greater feeling,” he told the cheering crowd.

    The start saw Russell and Hamilton get away cleanly while Verstappen overtook Norris.

    The rain started falling some 25 minutes into the race and made the 5.9-kilometre (3.7-mile) track greasy.

    After Hamilton took the lead from Russell on the damp track, Norris took advantage of a Russell error to move into second.

    Verstappen, Norris and both Mercedes cars pitted for new tires shortly after the halfway point of the race. But McLaren kept Piastri out a little longer, which ultimately cost him a chance of victory.

    After the tire-change shakeup, Norris was just over three seconds ahead of Hamilton while Verstappen was drifting back at this point.

    The next tire changes, with a little more than 10 laps remaining, proved crucial.

    Verstappen, Hamilton and Norris made quick changes, but McLaren took too long on Norris’ rears – 4.5 seconds – and he came out 2.4 seconds behind race leader Hamilton, with Verstappen now making up ground fast.

    He couldn’t get close enough, though, and Hamilton’s win made it six different winners so far this season — compared to just three in 22 races last year.

    Carlos Sainz Jr. finished fifth for Ferrari ahead of Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, with Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Alex Albon (Williams) and Yuki Tsunoda (RB) rounding out the top 10.

    Sergio Perez apologized to Red Bull after qualifying in a dismal 19th, and started from the pit lane as his team made multiple part changes. He finished 17th.

    Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc started 11th and placed 14th.

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    On Sunday, Lewis Hamilton made history once again by securing his 104th Formula 1 victory at the British Grand Prix, extending his record as the most successful driver in the sport’s history. This win also marked his ninth victory at the British Grand Prix, further solidifying his status as a legend in the world of motorsport.

    Hamilton’s dominance in Formula 1 has been nothing short of remarkable. Since making his debut in 2007, he has consistently been at the top of the sport, winning multiple championships and breaking numerous records along the way. His success can be attributed to his exceptional talent behind the wheel, as well as his dedication and work ethic both on and off the track.

    The British Grand Prix is a race that holds special significance for Hamilton, as it is his home race and one that he has always cherished. Winning at Silverstone for the ninth time is a testament to his skill and determination, as well as the unwavering support of his fans who have stood by him throughout his career.

    Hamilton’s victory at the British Grand Prix also comes at a crucial point in the current F1 season. With fierce competition from drivers like Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas, every win is crucial in the battle for the championship. Hamilton’s ability to consistently perform at such a high level under pressure is what sets him apart from his competitors and cements his place as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

    As Hamilton continues to rewrite the record books and push the boundaries of what is possible in Formula 1, it is clear that his legacy will endure for generations to come. His 104th victory at the British Grand Prix is just another chapter in what has already been an incredible career, and there is no doubt that there are many more victories still to come for this remarkable driver.