Silverstone: Lewis Hamilton thanked family and fans on Sunday after he won the British Grand Prix to revive his challenge for the world title.
The 29-year-old Briton, whose victory cut Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg’s championship lead to four points, said he had felt “positive energy” after staying at home with his father Anthony and family for the weekend.
“Having home cooked food made me more relaxed, it was incredible,” Hamilton said. “This result, for me, really needs to be the turning point ... It was about positive energy this weekend. I don’t always say the right things, I know, but I love racing and my fans.”
Hamilton also won the British GP exactly six years ago. “I said a prayer this morning and came back positively,” Hamilton said. Lewis Hamilton repeated history on Sunday when he won the British Grand Prix on the same day in 2014 that he claimed his first home win in 2008.
The 29-year-old Briton won his first on July 6, 2008, the same date on which he claimed his second exactly six years later.
The Mercedes driver, who went on to take the drivers championship in 2008, said: “I did not realise the date!”
He also referred to his problems on Saturday when he pulled out of his final qualifying lap and inadvertently gifted pole position to his German teammate Nico Rosberg, the championship leader. “I’m sorry about yesterday for being so speechless,” he explained.
“But it has gone from one end of the spectrum to the other.
“A huge thank you to the fans, they made the difference and there is nothing better than being able to give them that win. It’s not easy.
“You make it hard for yourself when you put yourself that far back. I had positive messages from family and friends, my sister came with the dogs and my nephew came.
Hamilton was full of banter in the post-race news conference, too. Having joked about the trophy he was given on the winners’ podium, he explained: “The bottom fell off the trophy on the podium.
“It’s plastic. It must have cost about £10 [Dh63].”
Then, he paused and added: “Don’t write anything bad about that, though!”
To laughter, second-placed Finn Valtteri Bottas interjected: “Too late!”
And Hamilton himself laughed, adding: “Yeah, that was off the record.”
