Lewis lauds immense atmosphere – and believes he’s in his prime
Lewis Hamilton used the platform of the British Grand Prix to demonstrate his credentials as an all-time great and send a message to his detractors. I’ll do this my way, was the thrust of it.
His 57th grand prix victory, and fifth at Silverstone, took Hamilton to within a point of Sebastian Vettel at the top of the drivers championship. With Vettel suffering a last lap puncture that dropped him from second to seventh, Hamilton could barely have imagined a more profitable weekend.
The outcome turned on its head a week of negative commentary that centred on his no-show at the London Live PR gig on Wednesday and escalated to suggest a rift at his team, Mercedes, and even early retirement from the sport.
After celebrating with the thousands of fans who had spilled across the track during the podium ceremo-
ny Hamilton said: “It feels amazing, a perfect weekend. It was incredible. Coming across the line I felt like I could have kept going. The support was immense, the flags, the energy was tremendous.
“There was so much negativity trying to pull the weekend down, and it had no effect. The fans were loving all weekend regardless. So to come here and have a great weekend was just fantastic.”
Hamilton’s exalted relationship with the Silverstone throng runs counter to the narrative that would have him an unpopular figure in his homeland. Much was made of the boos that greeted his absence in London last week, yet here the devotion was mutual and unrestrained.
It never hurts to win, of course, yet the manner of his victory spoke of a driver in command and in love with the job, not one contemplating a premature end after ten years at the top. “I feel like I’m in my prime, driving better than ever. I can’t imagine wanting to stop,” he said.
“I still have a contract with the team for another year and plan to see that out.i still feel young. I want to continue to enjoy my life the way I do no matter what people say. And continue to make my family proud.”
There was pride too in placing his name alongside Jim Clark, with five British wins, and the other grand prix heroes who have graced this event. “Growing up watching Nigel (Mansell) and those greats, the reception they got, the adulation I get, it’s hard to find the words.
“I could never have imagined matching the likes of Clark and Senna, having the Hamilton name among those stars. It’s a beautiful looking trophy with so many legends engraved on it. I’m really proud.”
Having endured appalling luck in the preceding two races Hamilton was the beneficiary here, but with half the season still to go, he knows it could be different again in Hungary next week.
“It’s difficult to say this is a turning point. The pendulum has swung a little bit, which is good for F1 and the fans to have the close battle.”