The British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton's Triumphant Return

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first win in 945 days and took a record-extending ninth British Grand Prix victory on a wet, wild and emotional afternoon at Silverstone.

It looked as though Lando Norris would secure his maiden success on home soil but he was left exposed by his McLaren team in the changeable conditions.

Max Verstappen finished second with Norris third as pole-sitter George Russell retired following a water system failure on his Mercedes.

On Saturday George Russell hailed the best Saturday of his life after leading Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in a stunning British one-two-three in qualifying at Silverstone.

Fifty-six years have passed since three Britons started a Formula One race from the front of the field. On New Year’s Day in 1968, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart occupied the top three grid spots for the South African Grand Prix.

The last time three British drivers began their home race at the front was six years previous at Aintree when Clark started ahead of John Surtees and Innes Ireland.

Our photographer Darrell Benns captured the action.

Race Day. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes with Lando Norris. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

McLaren of Oscar Piastri. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes with Max Verstappen behind. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Yuki Tsunoda holding off a Williams. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes crossing the finish line. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

British Grand Prix fans. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Formula One British Grand Prix 2024. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

A proud moment, as Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes claims his first win since 2021. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Emotional moments: Hamilton’s triumphant return to victory at Silverstone. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

F1 race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes clinched victory at the British Grand Prix. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Podium of Max Verstappen, Peter Bonnington, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes from the United Kingdom clinched victory at the British Grand Prix with a time of 1:22:27.059, completing 25 laps. Max Verstappen of Red Bull from the Netherlands finished second, trailing Hamilton by +1.465 seconds after 18 laps. Lando Norris of McLaren from the United Kingdom secured third place, crossing the finish line +7.547 seconds behind Hamilton, completing 15 laps. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lisa Hogan and Jeremy Clarkson. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Sir Mo Farah. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Sir Chris Hoy and Sarah Kemp. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Brad Pitt arriving for race day. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Actor Javier Bardem arriving for the race. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Simon Pegg. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Pole position holder George Russell of Mercedes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Scottish fans. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Charles Leclerc and George Russell battle wheel-to-wheel in an intense duel on the track. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Position 3 Lando Norris of McLaren. Saturday 6th July 2024. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton battling for position in front of a roaring home crowd at Silverstone. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Yuki Tsunoda. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Oscar Piastri skillfully navigates the track in his McLaren during the Grand Prix. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Position 2 on Saturday was Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Intense competition between Daniel Ricciardo and Pierre Gasly as they race for position. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lando Norris showcases his driving prowess, expertly handling his McLaren through tight corners. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Rain or shine, George Russell keeps pushing boundaries. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Where passion meets performance. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Rain-drenched circuits. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes is in Position 2 for today’s race. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Former F1 World Champion driver Jenson Button. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

George Russell delivered for his home crowd yesterday by landing a brilliant pole position for Saturday’s British Grand Prix. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

World Champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull walking past Pole Position holder George Russell. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Brad Pitt brought star power to the Silverstone racing circuit. The Hollywood actor, 60, is filming scenes of him racing an adapted Formula Two car in between practice sessions this weekend for his upcoming Formula One blockbuster, titled F1.