A new victory for Hamilton at Silverstone, but the same feelings “as the first time”!
Lewis Hamilton never tires of winning at Silverstone, as proved by this new victory secured this Sunday afternoon!
He is definitely in his element! In 12 races at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton has claimed victory six times, which translates to a win every other year. Even more impressive, the Briton has a 5/6 record since the start of the hybrid era, with only Sebastian Vettel preventing a clean sweep with a win in 2018. An impressive pace, further solidified with his victory in the 2019 edition. Naturally elated, the Briton was on cloud nine at the finish, with the Union Jack flag draped over his shoulders.
« I don’t have the words to tell you how proud I am to be here. You think you’re used to it, but in fact, it’s the same feelings as the first time », he told Jenson Button in Parc Fermé, just before stepping onto the podium. All while obviously paying tribute to the audience and his Mercedes team, who have been supporting him to the top for 5 years.
« I couldn’t have done all this without the fans and my team. Everyone at the factory pushes me in the right direction. I owe them a lot and I am super proud to be part of it. »
Race win, fastest lap…
Not a bad day at the office for @LewisHamilton #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/SooTSGFpNA
— Formula 1 (@F1) 14 juillet 2019
Bottas does not abdicate!
On his side, Valtteri Bottas inevitably harbors regrets, after a well-managed first part of the race, controlling Hamilton, despite a few overtaking attempts. Unfortunately for him, the Finnish driver was disadvantaged by the intervention of the safety car, following Antonio Giovinazzi’s off-track excursion on the 20th lap.
« I don’t really know what to say. I got off to a good start, Lewis put little pressure on me during the first laps, but then I controlled the gap. I stopped first, controlled the gap again to make sure I got out ahead of him. But he got a free stop with the safety car. It wasn’t really my day. »
However, Bottas also focuses on the positives, with a pole position in his pocket, secured this Saturday.
« At least the rhythm was there, and I felt comfortable. I’ll keep fighting, it’s not over yet! » To verify this statement, they’ll still need to turn the tide: Hamilton now leads the drivers’ championship, 39 points ahead of Bottas. Behind, it’s a complete disaster: Verstappen is 87 points behind, Vettel 100 points, which is equivalent to four races lead. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes is naturally heading for a sixth consecutive constructors’ title, 164 points ahead of Scuderia Ferrari!
