F1: Lewis Hamilton, victory and tears at Silverstone. Verstappen on podium, Sainz 5th, far behind Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton returns to winning ways after two years and eight months

December 5, 2021-July 7, 2024. That è the time span between Lewis Hamilton's last victory, in the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, and the one he won today at "his" Silverstone circuit: at the end of a "crazy" race, characterized by unstable weather that forced many drivers to change strategy in the process, the seven-time world champion è proved to be the best of all, winning his home GP for the ninth time (no other driver has won so many times on the same circuit).

Hamilton took his Mercedes first under the checkered flag, waved by Queen guitarist Brian May, bursting into tears of joy that the Mercedes box could hear over the radio, as well as viewers on TV. The British driver was a second and a half ahead of Max Verstappen, the author of a furious comeback in the finale at the wheel of his Red Bull. Completing the podium was Lando Norris, the first of the two McLaren drivers, più times leading the race but penalized by the tires in the final.

The other McLaren, that of Oscar Piastri (himself disadvantaged by a risky strategy) finished fourth, ahead of Carlos Sainz, first of the two Ferrari drivers thanks to a fifth place finish (as well as author of the fastest lap, which gives an extra point in the standings). Completing the picture of drivers in the points zone, from sixth to tenth, are Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Alexander Albon (Williams) and Yuki Tsunoda (RB).

At full laps but out of the points zone are Logan Sargeant (Williams) and Levin Magnussen (Haas), 11th and 12th respectively. One lap behind Daniel Ricciardo (RB), who finished ahead of Charles Leclerc, whose strategy to try a comeback did not work and, indeed, left him out of the points zone for the second time in a row, with a fourteenth place finish.

Closing out the standings were Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber), 15th, ahead of Esteban Ocon (Alpine), a still disappointing Sergio Perez (Red Bull) and Guanyu Zhou (Kick Sauber). Retired George Russell (Mercedes) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) due to technical problems.

In the standings, Max Verstappen remains ahead of everyone with 255 points, followed by Lando Norris at 171 and Charles Leclerc, still steady at 150. Fourth is Carlos Sainz with 146 points, Lewis Hamilton comes in triple digits with 110 points but remains eighth in the overall standings.