Lewis Hamilton's dominant wet-weather victory at Silverstone in 2008 tied him for the lead of the Formula One Drivers' Championship.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
- Championship round
- 9th of the 2008 season
- Laps completed
- 60 laps
- Pole position
- Heikki Kovalainen
- Fastest lap
- Kimi Räikkönen (lap 18)
- Drivers finishing
- 13 of 20
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2008 Formula One World Championship reached its ninth round at Silverstone Circuit on 6 July 2008. Wet conditions prevailed, shaping strategy and driver performance. Heikki Kovalainen qualified on pole, with Hamilton starting from fourth on the grid amid a tightly contested championship battle between Hamilton, Massa, and Räikkönen.
Lewis Hamilton surged from fourth to second on the opening corner, then took the lead on lap five. Racing in wet conditions for McLaren Mercedes, he controlled the race to victory. Nick Heidfeld finished second for BMW Sauber and Rubens Barrichello third for Honda, with Räikkönen setting the fastest lap on lap 18. Only 13 of 20 starters finished.
Hamilton's victory tied him with Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen at the top of the Drivers' Championship standings. Ferrari's lead in the Constructors' Championship was cut to 14 points over BMW Sauber, with McLaren a further 10 points back. The drive was widely regarded as one of the finest wet-weather performances in Formula One history.