WATCH: Max Verstappen celebrates Lewis Hamilton's iconic win at British Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans witnessed a remarkable moment of sportsmanship as Max Verstappen celebrated his old rival Lewis Hamilton’s victory at the British Grand Prix. The race, held at Silverstone, saw Hamilton clinch his first win since December 2021, a significant moment for the seven-time world champion.

Verstappen faced challenges early in the race but gained momentum towards the end. He overtook Lando Norris in the final laps and set his sights on Hamilton. Despite his efforts, Verstappen ran out of time, and Hamilton secured the win, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Hamilton was visibly emotional as he celebrated his victory, a scene mirrored by the enthusiastic reaction from the Silverstone spectators. Verstappen, who has had a storied rivalry with Hamilton, demonstrated his sportsmanship by congratulating the Briton. The driver-facing camera on Verstappen’s Red Bull captured the moment he pulled alongside Hamilton’s Mercedes, acknowledging his opponent's achievement.

Here is the video:

🚨Max Verstappen was the first to congratulate Lewis Hamilton on his victory, great, Max 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/w3uZ5Q92Cb

— Ferrari update (@F1picturesDm) July 7, 2024

“Winning in front of home crowd is special”, says Verstappen

In the cool-down room before the podium ceremony, the camaraderie between the two drivers was evident. Verstappen, with a smirk, quipped to Hamilton, "It's been a while!" Hamilton responded with a chuckle, humorously referring to Verstappen’s recent dominance by calling him a "ball-hogger."

Speaking to the Dutch media, Verstappen continued to praise Lewis Hamilton. "He drove a good race, made the right calls, and they were just a bit faster than us today. Winning in front of his home crowd is always special," Verstappen remarked. This show of respect underscored the evolution of their relationship, moving past their intense rivalry from the 2021 season.

Earlier this year, Max Verstappen addressed their relationship, stating, "I don't think we have a difficult relationship at all - it is quite straightforward. We had a big rivalry in 2021, but we respect each other. He is one of the greatest drivers ever, and his consistency and talent are impressive. The way he has managed his championships is very impressive."