Anthony Hamilton discusses that emotional embrace with son Lewis

10th July 2024

Proud father admits: "It was nice to be there at the right time."

It's a moment that has been shared countless times since Sir Lewis Hamilton’s historic win at the British Grand Prix, writes Damian Hall.

Watching the emotional 7-time world champion fall into the arms of his father Anthony after crossing the line of the action-packed race packed a punch and evoked tears from those sharing the moment. It was a beautiful ending to a journey much longer than the 52 laps at Silverstone.

As Hamilton cried as he held onto his father fans would’ve been reminded of that fateful Abu Dhabi GP in 2021.

Hamilton dominated every phase of the race and had a sizeable lead over championship rival, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, until a late safety car brought the cars close together. When the track was deemed safe, the race director at the time, Michael Masi, ordered only the cars between Hamilton and his rival to unlap themselves, contrary to the sporting regulations, which require all cars to unlap themselves. This decision placed Verstappen directly behind Hamilton on fresher tyres.

According to the regulations, the safety car should have done another lap, ending the race behind it and making Hamilton the winner and champion. However, Masi decided to call the safety car in on that lap to allow one lap of racing. Verstappen, on fresher tyres, overtook Hamilton and won the race, and subsequently, the championship.

To any reasonable thinker, a result from a breach of regulations should not be rewarded. It’s akin to a referee allowing a football player to pick up the ball with his two hands and throw it into the goal, then allowing the team to keep the point.

If Hamilton had won that race, it would’ve been his eighth championship, which would’ve saw the 39-year-old surpass the record held by fellow driver, Michael Schumacher.

Many believe Hamilton was cheated out of that championship, and at Sunday’s GP, Lewis admitted he found it hard coming back from that.

Speaking after his win at the British GP, Lewis said: “The important thing is how you get up and you have to continue to dig deep even when you’re at the bottom of the barrel. I didn’t think I’d get back to where I am today”.

Anthony confirmed it had been a difficult journey too and said he had spoken to his son at length about his doubts since 2021.

“We’ve spoken about [him doubting himself],” he said. “But, you have to question yourself at times”

Commenting on that special moment the two shared post-race, Anthony said: “I just wanted to be there for Lewis. It was nice to be there at the right time because he had a lot of emotion to let loose and I’m the only guy, I’m sure, that he would be able to do that with. It was great to be there.”

Touching on life post-2021, Anthony shared, “[I told him], you can’t make decisions when you’re emotionally charged. That emotion stayed for a long time. When the emotion is put in the back pocket, you can make a decision. [Winning this race] is a recharge of confidence.”

Crossing the line first at the 2024 British Grand Prix was Hamilton’s first win since 2021 and set a new record for the most wins at one circuit with nine victories. This feat will be difficult for any driver to achieve anytime soon.

When asked how he felt watching his son win at his home race, the proud father said he was “elated”.

“Right now, I’m drained, hugely elated. I’ve got great belief in Lewis. It’s the result of putting everything into today. The weather was up and down, but when it’s up and down he smiles.”

When he wrapped his arms around his son following the race, the charge of emotion was felt around the world, which was evident on the social media platform, X.

@rimmesfk posted: “That was too powerful a moment!! Anthony Hamilton told them years ago that one day his son will be the best driver in F1 history! Congratulations, sir! What a race”

User @Mr_up_the_irons added: “This brought a tear to my eye, Anthony has been there for Lewis all the way and is a solid support”

While @LukeSmithF1 summed it up perfectly: “Lovely moment between Lewis and his father, Anthony, in parc ferme there – Hamilton wiping away the tears from under his visor. Huge amount of emotion for them.”

Hamilton himself took to X hours after his win, and shared pictures from the day with the caption, “Still we rise”

With his father by his side, who can doubt that?

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