WATCH: Lewis Hamilton gets emotional after winning British Grand Prix 2024

Lewis Hamilton clinched an emotional and long-awaited victory at the British Grand Prix, ending a 56-race winless streak that stretched back to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. This landmark triumph at Silverstone was made even more special by the dramatic, rain-affected conditions that tested the mettle of every driver on the grid.

Hamilton initially trailed his Mercedes teammate George Russell in the race's early stages. However, the weather soon added an element of unpredictability, as rain showers forced drivers to switch from slick tyres to intermediates and back to slicks.

Crucial soft tyre decision helps Lewis Hamilton

A crucial decision to revert to slick tyres a lap earlier than McLaren's Lando Norris, who had temporarily seized the lead amid the chaos, allowed Hamilton to reclaim the top spot. From then on, he maintained his lead, with a crowd roaring their support.

This victory not only marked Hamilton's first since his Saudi Arabian win nearly three years ago but also set a new record for the most wins at a single Grand Prix venue, with Silverstone now boasting nine Hamilton victories. The significance of the moment was palpable, with Hamilton visibly moved during his post-race comments.

“I love them”, says Lewis Hamilton

"I can’t stop crying! It’s been since 2021, every day getting up, trying to fight, to train, to put my mind to the task and work as hard as I can with this amazing team," Hamilton shared. "This is my last race here at the British Grand Prix with this team, so I wanted to win this so much for them. I love them, I appreciate them so much, all the hard work they’ve been putting in all these years."

Hamilton's emotional journey from his 103rd to his 104th victory has been filled with challenges and self-doubt. He acknowledged the difficulty of staying motivated during his victory drought, highlighting the importance of resilience and the support from his team and fans.

Here is the video:

The emotions flood out 🥹#F1 #BritishGP @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/o43IvKELjQ

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 7, 2024

"There’s been days between 2021 and here where I didn’t feel like I was good enough, or whether I was going to get back to where I am today, but the important thing is I had great people around me, continuing to support me," Lewis Hamilton reflected. 

"My team, every time I turn up and see them putting in the effort, that encouraged me to do the same thing. Otherwise, my fans, when I see them around the world, they have been so supportive. A big, big thank you to everybody back at the factory, everyone here, I love you guys."