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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Majendie

F1 British Grand Prix 2023: Lewis Hamilton says McLaren are ‘back where they belong’ after podium finish

Lewis Hamilton said his former team McLaren were back where they belong after an impressive return to form at the British Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen was once again the runaway winner for an eighth time this season but Hamilton found himself sandwiched between the two McLarens at the chequered flag.

In truth, McLaren deserved a double podium only for Hamilton to catapult Oscar Piastri courtesy of a bonus pitstop behind the safety car on lap 34.

That meant Hamilton snuck into third behind runner-up Lando Norris, who equalled his best finish in the sport.

It was in stark contrast to most of this season with Norris having finished a lowly 17th on four occasions in 2023 before a major upgrade for the preceding race in Austria and again at Silverstone.

Of that improved pace, Hamilton, who began his F1 career at McLaren in 2007, said: “For us to get on the podium was huge and huge congrats to Lando and McLaren. That’s where I started so to see them back doing so well was great.”

It was a first time two British drivers had finished on the podium in their home race since David Coulthard won ahead of Eddie Irvine in 1999.

Of that feat, Hamilton said:” That’s pretty cool. It [the crowd] gets better and better every year. Each year is the pinnacle, the energy everyone brings is just phenomenal.”

Of his own podium, he added: “I didn’t do it, the crowd did it. I felt the energy and support and that’s why we got back up there. We’re not so far away. We can keep pushing and catch those guys at the front.”

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