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Formula 1 fans praised Anthony Hamilton for his on-track gesture towards his son Lewis Hamilton ahead of the recently concluded British Grand Prix. Hamilton Sr. was present at the Silverstone Circuit along with other family members to support the Mercedes driver at his home GP.
Formula 1 was in the United Kingdom for the 12th race of the 2024 season, and the last race of this year's triple header. After a wait of 945 days, Lewis Hamilton finally claimed a victory, and he could not have asked for a better time to step on the top spot of the podium than Silverstone.
Ahead of the preparation lap, Hamilton Sr. was seen standing in front of his son's W15. The 68-year-old, as seen in the footage, took Hamilton's video, wished him good luck, waved at him, recorded him again, and before leaving, he made sure he wished Lewis Hamilton once again.
As he left the track with a flying kiss, fans on social media lauded his actions. Here are some reactions:
"Fathers and their sons" a fan said as he came across the video.
"BEST F1 DAD!!!" another fan wrote on Anthony Hamilton.
"Antony Hamilton is a great man, and an even greater father who sacrificed so much to see his son grow up to become the greatest F1 driver ever," a fan wrote on Hamilton Sr.
"The way that is a 40 year old man in the car but Anthony is just there filming and watching his boy proudly. MY HEART" another fan chimed in on Hamilton's father.
"Love this, he is still that Dad at the side of the karting track. Even though his son has become one of the greatest drivers the world has ever seen," a fan wrote.
"That level of support, respect & love between father and son is inspirational" another fan explained why such a gesture is important.
An emotional Lewis Hamilton and a much-needed British GP win
The 2024 British GP victory was Lewis Hamilton's 104th win of his career, and undoubtedly, one of his most important ones. The Mercedes ace was winless for two back-to-back seasons and was under immense pressure to deliver.
Finally, on a gloomy Sunday at Silverstone, he was victorious. As he held off Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to take the checkered flag, emotions poured out. His radio message to Bono (Peter Bonnington), and the team said it all. After the completion of the race, he hugged his father and mother.
“I can’t stop crying!” Hamilton said, after getting down from the car. “It’s been since 2021, every day getting up, trying to fight, to train, to put my mind to the task and work as hard as I can with this amazing team."
Interestingly, the recent race at Silverstone was also Lewis Hamilton's last race there in Mercedes colors. The seven-time world champion is all set to move to Ferrari next season after he signed a multi-year contract earlier in February.
