International media praise Hamilton: 'The Lion King is back'
F1 News
After two seasons without victory, Lewis Hamilton returned to the top step of the podium in the British Grand Prix of all time. Not because the leaders knocked each other off the track - as Mercedes won in Austria a week earlier - but purely on his own merits. For the international media, Hamilton's performance is proof that the veteran has not lost his touch.
Gazzetta dello Sport
So the Italian Gazzetta gives Hamilton a 10 for his performance at Silverstone. In the most difficult conditions, the seven-time world champion's class came out on top again, the Italians compliment the future Ferrari driver. "A wizard in the rain, like his idol Ayrton Senna, and a master of tyre handling. True champions show themselves in the moments that count. And Sir Lewis could not have chosen a better moment for victory than by becoming a record holder at Silverstone," believes the pink sports newspaper.
Corriere della Sera
The also Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera is short of superlatives for Hamilton's achievement. "The return of the Lion King," is the medium's main conclusion. "With an emotion equal to the tears he cried after his triumph in front of the biblical crowd at Silverstone, 'his' people, F1 once again bows to Sir Lewis Hamilton," the newspaper continues. "The triumph in the British Grand Prix is not only something waited for for two years and seven months but also proves those who believed he was no longer capable of winning as of seven-time world champion wrong."
Bild
Bild also admired how the 39-year-old Hamilton won at Silverstone, getting Michael Schumacher's name out of the record books. Indeed, it was the first time in Formula 1 history that a driver took nine victories at the same circuit. Until Sunday afternoon, Hamilton shared that statistic with Michael Schumacher. "Tears from Lewis - the Brit could no longer contain his emotions over the board radio. This race was better than Hollywood!", the German newspaper still referred to the film Hamilton is currently producing about Formula 1 as a producer.
AS
Spanish sports newspaper AS saw at Silverstone how Hamilton's greatness has continued to grow. "Hamilton was the first to see the finish flag in his backyard to hear 'God Save the King' in his honour. He is the king. Verstappen, always at superior level, stole second place from Norris," AS wrote. "He [Hamilton] reminded us why legends are made of a different material, while there are other talented guys who still have to eat at the children's table."