Lewis Hamilton relieved to win British Grand Prix after 'heart-in-mouth' puncture almost cost him on final lap

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Joe Krishnan2 August 2020

Lewis Hamilton admitted his final-lap puncture was a "heart-in-the-mouth" moment before sealing victory at the British Grand Prix.

The 35-year-old looked to have his seventh race win at Silverstone wrapped up until Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas suffered a tyre blowout on lap 49.

The Finn, running in second, was forced to make a pit-stop allowing Red Bull's Max Verstappen to chase down Hamilton, who was 34 seconds clear.

But the world champion then saw his own left front tyre puncture halfway around the final lap, and he was left desperately battling to keep the car on the track with Verstappen closing in.

Hamilton managed to limp over the line to cap a dramatic finish and the Briton admitted he was relieved just to be able to finish the race at Silverstone.

Hamilton clinched his seventh race win at Silverstone Photo: AP
AP

"Up until that last lap, everything was smooth sailing," said Hamilton.

"When I heard Valtteri's tyre went I looked at mine and everything seemed fine. The car was still turning, and on the last laps I started to back off and then the tyre deflated.

"It was definitely heart-in-the-mouth. You could see the tyre was falling off the rim.

"Oh my God, I was just praying to get it round. I nearly didn't do it, but thank God we did."

A close-up view of Hamilton's punctured tyre Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Hamilton, who has now won five of the last six races at Silverstone, has extended his lead in the World Championship to 30 points over Bottas after he finished 11th.

The drivers will return to the track in a week's time for the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

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