A Magical Win

I know that in the scheme of things, the pressure that Mercedes and Lewis have endured over the last two and a half years is not important. There is global uncertainty and a cost of living crisis and many other challenges.

However, the joy that Lewis and his team brought to the British Grand Prix crowd was exceptional. Up there with the previous night's penalty shootout. The Brits all have very strong followings but the crowd's love for Lewis beats them all.

Loud

We were at Woodcote in a sea of fans decked out in the colours of Mercedes, McLaren and Williams (yes, I include Alex as a Brit). In qualy and the race, the noise was incredible as our boys delivered. All in the top ten on the grid. The first three places locked out for the first time since 1968.

When George maintained his first place at the start - massive noise. When Lando re-passed Max - massive noise. When Lewis took the lead twice - once by passing George, and once by pit stopping passed Lando, the roof was blown off.

The sight of papaya clad fans jumping up and down when Lewis passed Lando demonstrates who is the boss!

Ollie

On Thursday, Haas announced Ollie Bearman as their driver for 2025 and beyond. As if we didn't have enough things to cheer. His F2 season isn't going particularly well but I think he must be showing some proper promise in his FP1 sessions. Obviously, his Ferrari drive when Carlos was ill was very good. Maybe, like Damon, his true potential is masked in the lower formulae.

Mind

As I said, pressure is relative. However, in the bubble of F1, the strength of Lewis' mind, his determination, his never give up attitude puts him in that rare breed of sporting legend that deliver over and over and over again. For Lewis, that's now 17 years!

Engineering

And so too with Mercedes. They were nowhere in 2022 and 2023. And dead in the water at the beginning of this year. However, they designed a decent car and have now unlocked it's potential. Two poles in the last four races, and two wins in the last two. OK, George was fortunate that Max took out Lando, and himself in Austria. But you have to be in it to win it.

At Silverstone, they were fastest, or near enough, in every session. The weather was foul - dry, wet, warm, freezing, still, blowy - all weekend.

Tight

It's now very tight at the front, with seven drivers who can win / have won. Just need Oscar to do it and that's the full set. Unfortunately, Checo bins it every weekend so won't be joining that group. And it will cost Red Bull the Constructors Championship this year.

Bull

I find it hard to believe that Red Bull will honour their two year extension of Checo's contract. Mr Marko has sacked drivers who were doing a much better job at the time of their removal.

Max 2.0 is out performing their car so is still my bet for Drivers' World Champion. However, now he's under pressure from the six other top drivers, Max 1.0 is making the odd appearance. The others are out developing Red Bull so they have a chance and I think it will go to the end of the season.

Mugs

I said in my Imola report that the FIA and F1 are taking spectators for mugs. It's global. What you saw on TV was a sensational track, great race, modern facilities and a great crowd. Behind all that, it's third world. Massive queues for everything, no mobile data, filthy loos, off track music drowning the commentary, pitiful Track TV and a heavy dew turns the place into a bog.

As I said last year, the group we go with has shrunk from 23 to seven. And, no, it's not because they don't want to hear me moan about Silverstone. It's because they can either go on a family holiday, or spend three days at the British Grand Prix.

Hypocrite

We're lucky because we can afford it, partly because our sons are off the end of the production line. But now it's not about affordability, it's about value for money and what else we might choose to do.

And, of course, having said that, we'll be there next year! But because of the five Brits and despite the off track experience.

Race

I always write these reports assuming you've watched the race and / or read about it. Hence majoring on non-evidence based opinion and conjecture. ??

Anyway, it was great! Three British leaders at different stages, Max and Oscar threatening throughout, and battles everywhere. The race engineers and strategists really earned their wages as the weather was all over the place.

Balls

Checo and Charles might be wanting a refund though because the Red Bull and Ferrari crystal balls failed. Well, at least on their sides of the garages. They were put onto intermediates for the first batch of rain which proved to be light enough to stay on slicks. But that decision could so easily have been inspired had it rained harder.

Ten

The action was up front as Max's Red Bull, Mercs and McLarens battled it out. A real shame for George - there are so few DNFs in F1 now and to have one at your home GP must be sickening.

The rest of the top ten was made up Carlos who managed fastest lap, followed by Nico's Haas - they are showing some nice pace now. Then two Astons with good points but someway off in pace. To think Merc was struggling to beat them a few months ago. And Lance beat Fernando which is impressive in those conditions.

And to top it off. our adopted Brit in ninth following a much stronger weekend for Willams. Then Yuki, with tenth, and surprisingly uncontroversial on his radio.

Up Next

Looking great! McLaren and Merc to get quicker than Red Bull. Lando and Oscar to battle for wins. George on a vertical learning curve to compete with Lewis who has his mojo back. Ferrari get to the bottom of their problems and join the fray.

All done in front of a TV, in a location with running water, a functioning loo and where a beer costs less than Italy's national debt. 😀