SILVERSTONE // Dreams really do come true in sport sometimes. Just ask Lewis Hamilton. As a youngster, the Silverstone circuit enjoyed a special place in his heart as he watched the British Grand Prix. Hamilton, 23, made a mental note that he would win this one day when he became a driver.
He had success in a GP2 race here two years ago, but was desperate to triumph on the biggest stage of all in front of his fans. With two races left before the grand prix moves to Donington Park for the next 10 years, time was running out and the McLaren Mercedes driver knew it, enduring a tough time in the build-up too. And so came the perfect riposte to those who had doubted him after failures in his last two races as he swept to victory yesterday, becoming the 12th British driver to win the home race and the first since David Coulthard in 2000.
As he crossed the line, a hand popped out, signalling No1 and that is exactly what he was; the fans rising to salute their hero. With his rivals spinning in the rain, the win, by more than a minute, put him back in the hunt for the title, level on 48 points with the Ferrari duo of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton hailed the win as his best-ever - topping his Monaco success this season - in torrid conditions, admitting it was difficult to see at times.
"It was extreme out there; a mental challenge," he said. "It is one of the toughest races I have ever done. I had a lot of pressure on me and had done a terrible job in qualifying by my standards and I just wanted to get a point out there. "I would have been happy with eighth, but I remained cool, calm and collected. "It is the best victory I have ever had, not only for the history and on home ground, but for the way I drove. As I came towards the end I was praying 'just finish, just finish the race'.
"I want to dedicate this to my family. I have had some problems in the last couple of weeks, but the family have helped me get through it. "In the morning I wasn't feeling great but it wasn't until I got to the track I saw the family, some kids and fans. I had so much energy and support from them. Without their support I wouldn't have done this." From the start Hamilton set off like a man possessed. He knew he what he needed to do.
From fourth on the grid, he blitzed past Raikkonen's Ferrari, the Red Bull of Mark Webber and almost took Heikki Kovalainen in a brave first corner move. The cars might have touched slightly and the Finnish star knew his teammate was gunning for him. Like a hunter, he stalked his prey before moving in for the kill at Stowe, and Kovalainen, perhaps sensibly not wanting to risk a clash with his teammate, allowed the Briton through.
After that, only the track and the weather could beat Hamilton. Raikkonen was briefly a threat and was only a second behind when the pair made their first pit-stops on lap 21. But importantly, Hamilton took on fresh intermediate tyres, while Raikkonen remained on his worn tyres - a crucial mistake as more rain arrived soon after leaving the defending world champion slithering around. He recovered to finish in fourth place, but it was an even worse day for his Ferrari teammate Massa who spun on multiple occasions as he finished two laps down in 13th place.
Robert Kubica missed the chance to take over top spot as he also lost control while in a promising position. It was wet and wild and the Abbey chicane, where there was standing water, proved the biggest trouble spot. But, truth be told, it looked tough everywhere and carnage as drivers slipped, struggled and crashed out. Nick Heidfeld did provide some cheer for BMW Sauber as he came in second, equalling his best-ever finish which came in Montreal this season.
Rubens Barrichello claimed his 62nd podium spot, but first since 2005, as he battled to grab third spot, just ahead of Raikkonen. The Honda driver benefited from going on to wet tyres while his rivals struggled on intermediate tyres when the conditions were at their worse. A brave late overtaking move from Kovalainen saw him take fifth spot from the tenacious Fernando Alonso, who drove a battling race in his Renault.
The Toyota of Jarno Trulli was seventh after passing Kazuki Nakajima's Williams on the final lap, while Webber, who had started second, was left to rue spinning on Hangar Straight on the first lap as he could do no better than 10th place. @Email:akhan@thenational.ae
