Lewis Hamilton lauds Silverstone support ahead of 2026 British Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton praised the unique atmosphere at Silverstone as the 2026 British Grand Prix approaches, highlighting the crowd’s energy and the circuit’s high‑speed challenges such as Maggotts, Becketts and Copse. He said the fan backing adds a special motivation for a home race and noted the event’s growth into a diverse, family‑friendly gathering.

Speaking at a media day, Hamilton also reflected on his move to Ferrari, describing the team’s progressive development approach as a series of small, cumulative improvements rather than radical changes. He recalled his first Ferrari win at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June 2024 and joked that a title would only come if he “went into the Mercedes garage and tightened some bolts.” Hamilton acknowledged the strong performance of rivals, citing Red Bull’s recent progress and Max Verstappen’s competitiveness, while stressing that his team must stay focused and extract maximum performance each weekend.

He noted that Mercedes reclaimed a victory at the Austrian Grand Prix through George Russell, reducing his points deficit to championship leader Kimi Antonelli, and added that circuits with fewer long straights, such as Budapest, could tighten the title battle.