WATCH: Lewis Hamilton's iconic run to win his first-ever British Grand Prix in Silverstone

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's first-ever victory at the British Grand Prix in 2008 remains a landmark moment in his illustrious career. This weekend, as Formula 1 returns to Silverstone for the 75th British Grand Prix, we reminisce about that unforgettable race where Hamilton showcased his exceptional skill and tenacity.

In 2008, during his second home Grand Prix, Hamilton started the race from P4, with his McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen on pole position. The weather played a critical role, with the race commencing on a wet track that required all drivers to start on intermediate tyres.

As the lights went out, Hamilton had a stellar start, quickly overtaking the cars ahead. By Turn 1, he was already ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, but Kovalainen reclaimed the lead briefly. Hamilton remained close, and by Lap 5, he made a decisive move past his teammate at Stowe Corner to take the lead.

Here is the video:

He lapped everyone except the podium, and finished over a minute ahead of P2 🗿@LewisHamilton was on another planet during the 2008 British Grand Prix! The first of EIGHT home victories 👏#F1 #BritishGP @McLarenF1 pic.twitter.com/i6qrPQSMSV

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 5, 2024

From that point, Hamilton drove with a maturity that belied his age, building a significant lead over the field. By Lap 10, he had a comfortable six-second gap, with Raikkonen in pursuit after Kovalainen's spin. The race strategy became crucial as the rain intensified.

Poor pit-stop strategy costs Ferrari!

Both Hamilton and Raikkonen pitted on Lap 21. McLaren opted for new intermediate tyres for Hamilton, while Ferrari gambled by not changing Raikkonen's tyres, betting on the track drying out. This decision proved costly for Ferrari as the rain worsened.

Hamilton's fresh tyres allowed him to maintain his lead and control the race, while Raikkonen struggled and fell behind. By Lap 27, Hamilton had extended his lead to 30 seconds before pitting again for new intermediates. Hamilton's performance was a masterclass in wet-weather driving.

Despite the challenging conditions, he remained composed and in control, avoiding the mistakes that plagued his rivals. His skilful navigation of the slippery track demonstrated his exceptional racecraft and maturity. On Lap 60, Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line to secure his maiden British Grand Prix victory.

This triumph was not only a significant milestone in his career but also a powerful response to critics who had questioned his focus and capability. Since that iconic win, Hamilton has gone on to dominate at Silverstone, amassing a record eight British Grand Prix victories.