Lewis Hamilton sends message to England at Euro 2024: ‘I’m sure they’ll want to play better’

Lewis Hamilton has sent a motivational message to England’s Euro 2024 squad after winning the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver claimed his first victory in more than 30 months as he held off a late challenge from Max Verstappen to win at Silverstone for the ninth time, setting a new record for most F1 victories at a single circuit.

Hamilton’s triumph comes a day after England qualified for the Euro 2024 semi-finals with a tense penalty shootout victory over Switzerland.

Hamilton watched the penalty shootout alongside team-mate George Russell on the main stage at Silverstone and ahead of the semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday, the 39-year-old Arsenal fan wished Gareth Southgate’s side the best and added: “I’m sure they’ll want to play better.”

Hamilton said: “Yesterday was a really good day, it was a really good time for British sport.

“The penalty shootout was incredible last night. I was in a pub watching a game but to watch with 20,000 people was truly incredible, I’m really grateful to have had that experience with George.

“We wish them the best. I’m sure they will want to play better and will know what they need to do to raise their game. They will have a lot to learn, as we do in every race.”

“I will be with them.”

England are seeking to win a major tournament for the first time since winning the 1966 World Cup, three years after losing on penalties at Euro 2020 to Italy.

Hamilton, meanwhile, was in tears as he claimed his first victory since December 2021 on Sunday. The Mercedes driver, who will move to Ferrari next year, paid tribute to his team and fans after the win.

“I can’t stop crying,” he said immediately after the race.

“Since 2021, I’ve been giving it my all every day, getting up to fight and train, putting in the work with this incredible team. My last race here with this team, I love them, winning for them, spending all these years working hard, I’ll be forever grateful to them.

“To our amazing fans, I can see you every lap, there is no greater feeling than winning here.

“It’s so hard, the important thing is to keep getting back up, to dig deep when you’re at rock bottom. There have been days since 2021 where I thought I wasn’t good enough or that I couldn’t get back to the current level, but I had a great team, I saw them make efforts.

“I see my fans all over the world, they support me so much. I love you guys!”