Hamilton ranks 'special' victory after emotionally challenging winless streak

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that his victory last weekend in the British Grand Prix is potentially the "most special" win of his F1 career. 

On the 946th day of his winless streak, Hamilton finally secured his first win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, causing pandemonium in the grandstands at Silverstone. 

The seven-time world champion broke down in tears over the radio during his cooldown lap, before embracing with his team and family once parked in parc fermé. 

Having gone so long without a victory, it was clear that his British GP success meant an incredible amount, especially as it is his final season with Mercedes before joining Ferrari.

Hamilton's victory was so special, that he even ranks it as possibly the greatest win of his F1 career. 

"Well, I have a really bad memory, but I honestly, I'm really very much about living in the present, I don't feel like I'm able to compare this one to any other to me," Hamilton told select media including RacingNews365. 

"I had so many great moments and moments where I didn't think that I was going to be able to win, like the first Grand Prix win here in 2008. I qualified terribly, well P4, but it felt like I wasn't in with a shot of winning a Grand Prix, and then it rained, and obviously I had that great feeling. 

"So many moments through. I think being at your home Grand Prix, That's the longest stint that I've not had a win, 945 days. 

"And the emotion that's accumulated over that time. So this one feels, could be one of the most special ones for me, I think, if not the most special one."

Forever 'grateful'

Quite poetically, on the same weekend as this season's British GP but back in 1954, Mercedes claimed its first F1 victory.

This was pointed out to Hamilton after the race, in a question regarding whether his Mercedes exit this year is truly a farewell to the manufacturer. 

Hamilton has been supported by the German manufacturer since he was 13 years old, with McLaren having even been powered by Mercedes when the 39-year-old raced for the Woking-based outfit. 

The Briton recognises how much Mercedes has done for his career, and will never forget the importance of being part of the company.

"Well, 1954. What car? That would have been in the W197, maybe?" questioned Hamilton. "I can't remember which car that would have been. The heritage of Mercedes is legendary. 

"And I'm very fortunate to have been a part of Mercedes for this last 18 years. Actually more than that, 20 plus years, because they started supporting me when I was 13. 

"But obviously every Grand Prix win that I've had, the 104 has been with Mercedes, powered by Mercedes, and something that I will always be grateful to have been a part of."