Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver ‘definitely improving’ as unique British GP podium record put on line again at Silverstone

Silverstone and the British Grand Prix hold a special place for Lewis Hamilton. No other driver has achieved greater success at their home race, nor has any driver been more victorious at a single Formula 1 circuit. Throughout the sport`s history, few have commanded such enduring adoration from the crowds.

The historic home of British motorsport welcomes F1 this weekend as the current season approaches its midpoint. While recent races have seen wins for British drivers George Russell (Mercedes in Canada) and Lando Norris (McLaren in Austria), Ferrari remains one of the `big four` teams yet to secure a Grand Prix victory after eleven rounds. Lewis Hamilton, set to join Ferrari in 2025, is also still seeking his first Sunday podium of the current season with his present team.

Considering his record ninth victory at Silverstone last year, achieved amidst profoundly emotional scenes, can his home ground once again be the setting for another significant milestone?

Hamilton Pinpoints Improvement Area After Austrian Gains

Ferrari heads to Hamilton`s home race with boosted morale following a positive showing in Austria, where their SF-25 car debuted an upgraded floor.

While a single upgrade won`t completely transform a team`s performance in this late stage of F1`s current regulations, the changes Ferrari introduced beneath the car last week appeared to have a positive impact. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc agreed on this.

In Austria, Mercedes struggled in the heat, and Red Bull`s Max Verstappen`s podium chances were derailed by external factors. Ferrari consistently performed as the second-fastest team behind McLaren, resulting in third and fourth-place finishes in the race.

Charles Leclerc continued to lead the way for the Scuderia, qualifying on the front row and finishing third. This was his third podium in the last four races and fourth overall this season.

Hamilton`s wait for a podium appearance extends to a career-long 13 races. However, he could also point to personal progress with his current car in Austria, finishing fourth.

He qualified just 0.090 seconds behind his teammate, securing his first second-row start of the year for a Grand Prix. He finished in the same position, matching his best race result from Imola in May.

Interestingly, while Hamilton`s qualifying issues have often been highlighted over the past season and a half (first with Mercedes, now with his current team), the driver commented after Austria that his race pace was the area requiring the most focus, having finished nine seconds behind Leclerc in the 70-lap race.

“I`ll just keep working at it,” Hamilton stated regarding his performance after the race.

“I feel like I made progress this weekend. I was less than a tenth off Charles in qualifying, and we found a problem through qualifying with the brakes, where I lost a tenth, so that`s positive. I`ve just got to find some pace for the race, but definitely improving.”

Can Hamilton Extend His Unique Silverstone Podium Streak?

So, what are Ferrari`s chances of being genuine podium contenders again on Silverstone`s high-speed curves?

McLaren`s competitiveness seems consistent across most tracks, and they are likely strong contenders again. Ferrari can also anticipate tougher competition from their other two main rivals compared to Austria.

Mercedes, who secured pole at Silverstone with Russell and victory with Hamilton last year, should benefit from the forecast UK weather, with temperatures expected to be cooler than in Austria and a chance of showers. Red Bull`s strongest performances this year have often come on circuits featuring fast corners.

Despite this, Ferrari will hope the pace improvement seen in the last race provides a solid base to build on, ahead of further expected upgrades before the F1 summer break next month.

Then there`s the undeniable `Hamilton factor`.

If there was any doubt that the seven-time champion often finds something extra special for his annual Silverstone appearance, even during challenging seasons, his performance in 2024 surely dispelled it.

Hamilton arrived at last July`s British GP having not won a race in 56 attempts since December 2021, and with only one podium in the preceding 14 races. Yet, he delivered a masterclass drive in mixed wet and dry conditions to claim a win that stands as one of his career highlights.

It wasn`t just a record-extending ninth win at the British GP – making him the first driver to win the same race nine times – but one that carried particular emotional weight.

Speaking afterward, Hamilton admitted, “There`s definitely been moments where you know, the thought that this was it, that that was never going to happen again. So to have this feeling come across the line, I think, honestly, I`ve never cried coming from a win. It just came out of me. And it`s a really, really great feeling. I`m very, very grateful for it.”

The victory emphatically extended another proud Silverstone record for the Briton: a streak of consecutive podium finishes dating back to 2014.

In a feat unique to any Grand Prix, Hamilton has finished on the podium in the last 11 British GPs. Including the second race held at the venue during the disrupted 2020 season (the 70th Anniversary GP), his consecutive podium run at Silverstone is 12.

Highlighting his remarkable home record, only 35 drivers in F1 history have won more races *combined* across their careers than Hamilton has won *at Silverstone alone*.

“We are coming to Silverstone which is a Lewis Hamilton track,” commented Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok. “Wouldn`t the crowd go absolutely mad if he won there?”