Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton fought his way back out front at Silverstone on Friday and will be leading the first Sprint Race tomorrow at 16:30.
The British driver has had a tough few rounds, but today found the pace Mercedes are so well known for and brought the team back to the front of the grid – beating out his closest rival for the top spot.
The 36-year-old spoke to Sky Sports following the race and said he puts their jump in performance down to the return of a sea of passionate F1 fans.
“We have been missing this for a whole year,” he said.
“I’m so grateful to see everyone here – we’ve missed you for a whole year.
“To come to the Silverstone grand prix and have a full crowd like this, you see the energy and when I was coming into it with the great work we’ve done together in the team plus the energy of the fans would give us there.
“This is down to the fans I think.”
Speaking about today’s battle on track for the fastest lap, Lewis acknowledged the speed of Red Bull but said he left no stone unturned heading into the weekend.
“Red Bull were very quick in that practice session but we were staying very focused on our job and trying to layer up.
“I was in the sim this morning using it as a practice session because it’s the first time we’ve ever had a morning free, just putting in the time and to give absolutely everything. Leave no stone unturned.
“That first lap was great. The second one was looking even better but just lost the back end in that last corner, so my heart was in my mouth as I crossed the line.
“But I could see the crowd and it was really reminiscent of my first pole here in 2007.”
