Multiple Formula 1 Grand Prix winner turned commentator Mark Webber praised Lewis Hamilton for his record-winning victory at Silverstone, claiming the Mercedes star went into “beast mode” en route to victory on Sunday.
Hamilton started the GP from second on the grid and was in contention for victory throughout the 52 laps held around the 3.66-mile Silverstone course.
The Mercedes star fared well as the conditions transformed from dry to wet and back to dry again and nursed his soft tyres home with the help of engineer Peter Bonnington in the final stint of the GP to keep Max Verstappen at bay.
Webber credited Hamilton’s victory to his years of experience and success, likening the British driver to a predatory animal on race day.
“It was beast mode – home turf,” the Australian said of Hamilton’s win on UK broadcaster Channel 4.
“I think it was the back of the first stint when they’re talking about rain coming, this is him smelling blood at that point. That’s like a shark in the ocean.”
Many would recognise that the manner in which Hamilton won, collaborating with his team to execute pit-stops at the correct moments to switch from inters, then back to slicks and then of course, having the aptitude to nurse the soft tyres home at the end, was a particularly vintage display from the 104-time winner.
Webber’s comments echo that notion and the Australian knows better than most having competed against Hamilton when the Briton was at McLaren.
“[This is Hamilton thinking] I’ve got opportunities here,” Webber said.
“I’m going to put pressure on everyone around me. I’ve got so much experience. I’ve got [a] beautiful archive of success here.
“He grabbed that race by the scruff of the neck, the key decisions, he drove the team. This is what I want. This is when I want it, and I’m going to deliver. So cool heads.
“I’m a big Lewis fan. I know I said he’s on the fringe of results but [I questioned] ‘Where’s that motivation? Where’s that mojo? But you give him a flash of something like we saw, then stand back.”
Hamilton was rightly emotional as he crossed the line, claiming his first GP win in 945 days during his last home race with Mercedes, before heading to Ferrari in 2025.
Webber remarked how the win is likely “one of the biggest moments of [Hamilton’s] life,” before adding, “It could be his last win, but from when the lights went out, he was on the case and got the job done.”
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