Hamilton Hails Third Place at 2023 British GP as “huge” Result

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has hailed third place finish at 2023 British Grand Prix as a “huge”result.

Having finished 12th and 15th fastest in Friday Practice plus fifth in an unrepresentative FP3, Hamiton qualified seventh in a “tricky” Qualifying but slipped to ninth at the start before a perfectly timed Safety Car on Lap 33 allowed his to snatch a third-placed podium finish ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Hamilton’s third-place finish alongside Lando Norris finishing second also meant that two Brits stood on the podium together at the British GP for the first time this century, as well as the first time since David Coulthard and Eddie Irvine finished first and second at 1999 British GP.

Reflecting upon his race strategy post-race, Hamilton commented: “The Safety Car came at a beneficial moment for us but ultimately, that was the plan starting on the Medium tyre. We wanted to go long, and we did; it came at the right time, and we made some gains.”

The third-placed finish marked Hamilton’s 13th podium at his home race, which he described as “huge” not only after his difficult weekend but “up-and-down season” in terms of performance.

Hamilton though warned that there is still “a lot of work” to be made in catching Red Bull, as he explained: “We’ve got strengths with it, particularly our long run. George had a great stint on the Soft tyre and mine on the Medium was really good too.

“As soon as we can improve the rear end we will be on our way. We just need to hold on to the good bits and add a few others.”

Hamilton like George Russell and Lando Norris benefitted from a jubilant home crowd who brought a party atmosphere, which could be heard at times over the roar of the cars and the seven-time champion described the noise as “incredible” to hear.

The UK is currently gripped in a cost-of-living crisis yet over 400,00 fans packed into the grandstands and standing areas around Silverstone, which left Hamilton surprised as he added: ” I don’t know how that is possible as it’s the pinnacle! The energy that everyone brings is phenomenal.”