There was no question just how much it meant to Lewis Hamilton to win his 104th Formula 1 Grand Prix race before delighted fans in his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Not only does it extend his own wins record in the sport, it's also the first time that any driver has won nine times at a single venue. “There's just no greater feeling as to finish at the front here," Hamilton acknowledged.
It's his first win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah, 945 days ago and brings to an end his longest spell in the sport without a race win since he made his debut in the 2007 Australian GP with McLaren.
Despite a record that makes him the most successful driver in the history of the sport, Hamilton admitted after his victory today that he feared he would never win again - and that he might simply no longer be capable of winning.
"There's definitely been days between 2021 and now where I didn't feel like I was good enough, or where I was going to get back to where I am today," he said in the paddock at Silverstone.
“I can't stop crying,” he continued. "Since 2021, every day, just getting up and trying to fight, to train, to put my mind to the task and work as hard as I can with this amazing team.
“It's so tough, I think for anyone," Hamilton admitted. "The important thing is just how you continue to get up, and you have got to continue to dig deep, even when you feel to feel like you're at the bottom of the barrel.
"The important thing is I have great people around me continuing to support me. My team, every time I turn up and see them put in the effort, that really encouraged me to do the same thing.
"[Also] my fans when I see them around the world, they have been so supportive. So a big thank you to everybody back at the factory. Everyone here, I love you guys, and god bless you.
“This is my last race here at the British GP with his team, so I wanted to win this so much for them, because I love them. I appreciate them so much all the hard work they've been putting in all of these years."
Team boss Toto Wolff said it was the perfect way to sign off their incredible partnership before Hamilton moves to Ferrari in 2025.
"Fantastic," Wolff told Sky Sports F1 after the finish of the race. "I mean, you couldn't have written better for our farewell British GP after 12 years together. That was great.
"It's like a fairytale, how we leave the British crowds there with the most iconic, most successful British driver in a Mercedes," he added. "I really enjoyed us bouncing back.
"We were running 1-2 for a long time in the dry, so performance-wise it looks like we are coming back," Wolff acknowledged. "We've had some more difficult times recently; coming back that way with faultless driving in the various conditions was really good.
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