Lewis Hamilton’s victory in his last British Grand Prix for Mercedes is “like a little fairytale,” according to team principal Toto Wolff.
Mercedes failed to win a race in 2023 while Hamilton’s own drought extended to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but after George Russell’s victory in Austria it was Hamilton’s turn to stand on the top step again at Silverstone. The win is Hamilton’s ninth at his home race, and comes before he joins Ferrari in 2025, something Wolff admits is special.
“It was so difficult over the last two years [not really finding any] performance; we couldn’t give the drivers a car that was able to go for the victories,” Wolff said. “To make him win again, the British Grand Prix, in his last race for Mercedes here, it’s almost like a little fairytale.”
Wolff admits it was a challenging race to handle with the changing weather conditions, but also feels a sense of frustration after polesitter Russell was forced to retire with a water system issue.
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“It was difficult. We were really controlling the pace at the beginning and that was very encouraging,” he said. “Then it started to rain and you see the massive performance that the McLaren had, and they were simply in the sweet spot of the tire. But we came back in those conditions and I think we had it under control.
“It’s just a shame we DNF’d with George; he had the pace and we let him down here with a water leak. It’s just not great but the overarching result here with Lewis, last British Grand Prix… George is going to win one.”
Hamilton was particularly emotional after the race and, to Wolff, the latest victory feels like a long time coming, particularly after the seven-time world champion revealed he had doubts over whether he’d win another race.
“It’s clear our relationship goes back a long time,” Wolff said. “Each of us has suffered at various stages. He’s been there for me and most recently I’ve tried to do my contribution to his doubting at times. That’s why it feels really good that he’s been able to put all the negative thoughts, all the negativity aside, and come up with this performance. I think it’s a weight off his shoulders.”