Hamilton at Silverstone: Ferrari Progress and Chasing a Unique Record

Lewis Hamilton, Silverstone, and the British Grand Prix share a unique bond. No driver has achieved greater success at their home event, nor has anyone been as dominant at a single Formula 1 circuit. The long-standing admiration he receives from the crowd at the home of British motorsport is exceptional. This weekend, F1 returns to Silverstone, marking the halfway point of the 2025 season, which is Hamilton`s debut year with Scuderia Ferrari.

While recent victories have gone to British drivers – George Russell for Mercedes in Canada and Lando Norris for McLaren in Austria – Ferrari remains the only team among the `big four` without a Grand Prix win after 11 rounds. Lewis Hamilton is also still seeking his first podium finish since joining his new team.

However, considering his record ninth victory at Silverstone just last year, achieved amidst deeply emotional scenes, there`s a strong possibility that his home track could once again be the stage for another significant achievement.

Hamilton Notes Improvement After Ferrari`s Austria Gains

Ferrari arrives at Hamilton`s home race following a more promising display in Austria, where their SF-25 car featured an updated floor. Although a single upgrade isn`t expected to revolutionize a team`s performance entirely in the current rule cycle, the changes seemed to positively impact the car`s speed, a point agreed upon by both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

In Austria, where Mercedes struggled with the heat and Max Verstappen`s podium chances were hampered by external factors, Ferrari consistently performed as the second-fastest team behind the championship leaders, McLaren. This resulted in third and fourth-place finishes for the team.

Charles Leclerc led the way for Ferrari, qualifying on the front row and finishing third, marking his third podium appearance in the last four races. Lewis Hamilton, despite his wait for a podium extending to a career-long 13 races, also highlighted personal progress with the car en route to his fourth-place finish in Austria.

He qualified just 0.090 seconds behind his teammate, securing his best starting position of the year (second row) for a Grand Prix. His fourth-place race finish also matched his best result with Ferrari, previously achieved at Imola in May.

Interestingly, despite much attention being given to Hamilton`s qualifying struggles over the past season and a half (initially with Mercedes and now Ferrari), the 40-year-old stated after the Austrian race that improving his race pace was actually his main focus, having finished nine seconds adrift of Leclerc after 70 laps.

“I`ll just keep working at it,” Hamilton commented on his form post-race. “I feel like I made progress this weekend. I was less than a tenth off Charles in qualifying, and we found a problem through qualifying with the brakes, where I lost a tenth, so that`s positive. I`ve just got to find some pace for the race, but definitely improving.”

Can Hamilton Maintain His Unique Silverstone Podium Streak?

So, what are Ferrari`s chances of being genuine podium contenders again at the high-speed corners of Silverstone? McLaren`s competitiveness is well-established and they are likely strong favorites. Ferrari also anticipates facing tougher competition from their other main rivals compared to Austria.

Mercedes, who secured pole position with Russell and victory with Hamilton at Silverstone last year, should benefit from the expected decrease in the UK`s heatwave conditions, with even a chance of rain over the weekend. Red Bull typically performs well on tracks featuring fast turns.

Despite this increased competition, Ferrari hopes the step forward in pace seen in Austria provides a solid base to build upon, with further car upgrades anticipated before the summer break next month.

Then, there`s the undeniable `Hamilton factor`. Any lingering doubt about the seven-time champion`s ability to deliver something special at his annual Silverstone homecoming, even during more challenging seasons, was likely erased by the events of 2024.

Arriving at the British GP last July having not won a race for 56 Grands Prix (since December 2021) and with only one podium in the preceding 14 races, Hamilton produced a masterful drive in mixed wet-dry conditions to claim a victory that ranks among the best of his career. It wasn`t just a record-extending ninth win at the British GP – making him the first driver to win the same race nine times – but one that carried profound emotional weight.

Reflecting afterward, Hamilton admitted, “There`s definitely been moments where you know, the thought that this was it, that that was never going to happen again. So to have this feeling come across the line, I think, honestly, I`ve never cried coming from a win. It just came out of me. And it`s a really, really great feeling. I`m very, very grateful for it.”

That victory also emphatically extended another proud Silverstone record for the Briton: a remarkable podium-finishing streak dating back to 2014.

In a feat unmatched at any single Grand Prix venue, Hamilton has finished on the podium in the last 11 consecutive British GPs. Including the 70th Anniversary GP held at Silverstone during the 2020 season, his streak at the circuit extends to 12 consecutive podiums.

This incredible home record is further highlighted by the fact that only 35 drivers in the history of the sport have won more races *total* across their careers than Hamilton has won at Silverstone alone.

“We are coming to Silverstone which is a Lewis Hamilton track,” observed one Formula 1 analyst. “Wouldn`t the crowd go absolutely mad if he won there?”

Hamilton`s Results with Ferrari (up to Austrian GP 2025)

Hamilton`s British GP Results: The Last 11 Years