PITS COMING HOME

On a dramatic day of Fuel Britannia as he outfought fellow Brits AND Verstappen.. Lewis is overwhelmed by his ninth Silverstone triumph ending 945 days of hurt

- DANIEL MOXON

IT'S A KIND OF MAGIC... and as Brian May of Queen waved the chequered flag, Lewis Hamilton finally recaptured his crown as king of Silverstone.

He was under pressure without a win since 2021 - and admitted to thinking he might never stand on the top step of an F1 podium again.

But he did so in glorious Northamptonshire sunshine, draped in the Union Flag, taking in the adulation of the fans cheering his long-awaited success.

Hamilton had started as the second of a trio of Britons in the first three grid slots, behind only team-mate George Russell.

And it was the younger Mercedes driver who began strongest, pulling away from those behind him in the early stages.

When the first spots of rain hit, though, the tide turned in favour of the McLarens.