The world champion, with a legacy of seven victories, leveraged the opportunity of a safety car’s timing to secure a podium position late in the race, placing third, behind Norris.
Following the restart, Hamilton appeared to have the superior soft tyres against Norris’s hard ones, but was unable to bypass his competitor.
Even though Hamilton did manage to momentarily parallel Norris during the sprint to Copse Corner, the remarkable straight-line velocity of the McLaren ensured Norris’s position was safeguarded.
Subsequently, Hamilton could not find another opening to overtake as Norris extended his lead on the high-speed sweeps of the Silverstone circuit.
After finishing behind Norris, Hamilton voiced his admiration for the McLaren’s performance to his Mercedes team via the radio.
“That McLaren is a rocketship,” Hamilton exclaimed. “The speed is staggering.”
Post-race, Hamilton lauded the McLaren’s performance and congratulated Norris on his achievement.
“I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to Lando and McLaren,” Hamilton commented. “This is my family, this is where I began. Seeing them regain their strength and prominence is heartening.
“That machine was blisteringly fast through the high-speed turns. I was astounded. I couldn’t keep pace, but we had a spirited skirmish after the restart.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14
Photo by: Zak Mauger / F1 Flow Images
Hamilton acknowledged that Norris had an insurmountable lead at each lap, once the cars reached Silverstone’s fastest turns, which rendered him incapable of catching up in the slower sections.
“As soon as he hits Turn 15 [Stowe], he vanishes. We exhibited commendable performance at low speed but lacked the power on the straights. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled knowing that starting from the seventh spot and finishing third is a monumental accomplishment.”
Also read:
Norris perplexed over McLaren’s decision for hard tyres during F1 British GP
F1 British GP: Verstappen secures his sixth consecutive victory, followed by Norris, Hamilton
Despite some disappointment over falling short of the second spot, Hamilton maintained optimism, appreciating the proximity to McLaren – and a not-too-distant gap from Red Bull – as promising.
“I view this as a positive sign for our team, understanding that we’re not lagging too far behind,” he stated. “We just need to persevere and we’ll be able to catch up with the leaders.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hamilton praises McLaren
What was Lewis Hamilton’s position in the F1 British GP?
Hamilton finished in third place in the F1 British GP.
How did Lewis Hamilton describe the performance of Norris’s McLaren car?
Hamilton described Norris’s McLaren car as a “rocketship”, complimenting its staggering speed.
Why couldn’t Hamilton overtake Norris in the race?
Hamilton couldn’t overtake Norris due to the superior straight-line speed of the McLaren and its performance in the high-speed turns of the Silverstone circuit.
What was Hamilton’s reaction to finishing behind Norris?
Despite finishing behind Norris, Hamilton expressed admiration for the McLaren’s performance and congratulated Norris on his race. He acknowledged the need for his own team, Mercedes, to improve and catch up.
What did Hamilton think about his own performance in the race?
Hamilton acknowledged the challenge but expressed satisfaction with his performance, given he started seventh and finished third. He viewed it as a monumental accomplishment.
5 comments
“rocketship” that’s one heck of a compliment from hamilton. so proud of Lando and the team! Can’t wait for the next race!!
man, if hamilton’s impressed with the mclaren speed, that’s saying somethin. Wish Mercedes pick up the pace soon. Still rooting for ya Lewis!
Silverstone is always full of surprises, isn’t it? No one predicted this outcome. Loving this season, keeps you on the edge of ur seat.
wow, hamilton’s been really sportin, even in defeat. guess mclarens gonna be a serious contender this season. good on norris!
never thought I’d see the day Hamilton praises McLaren so much. shows the growth they’ve had. this seasons gonna be interesting for sure.