$160mn worth Hollywood star congratulates Lewis Hamilton on his win: "Awesome to see you atop the podium"

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was congratulated by Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey after the former won the 2024 British GP on Sunday. The seven-time world champion was overwhelmed by emotion as he tasted the champagne at the top step of the podium after two-and-a-half years, his last win coming at the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP.

The home hero, with his victory, also became the first driver in F1 history to win at the same track nine times in their career, besting the previously jointly-held record of Michael Schumacher, who won at Magny-Cours eight times, and Hamilton himself, with eight wins at Budapest.

McConaughey won the Oscar in 2013 for his performance in the 'Dallas Buyers Club' and is worth $160 million (according to celebritynetworth.com). He is an avid fan of the sport and has attended several races such as the US Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Texas native was amongst the many celebrities to congratulate Hamilton on his 104th win and said:

'Awesome to see you atop the podium @LewisHamilton Congratulations."

For Hamilton, his parents' presence at Silverstone on the weekend made the victory even more meaningful as he told RacingNews365:

"Yeah, it really does, because I think, I've had my parents come to a race here and there. We've had, my mom was there when we won a championship. My dad's been there when we won a championship.

"It's always been just at a different point in life. I think this weekend, I think just within life, your parents are getting older, we're traveling so much." he added.

Lewis Hamilton chimes in the mental challenge of a two-and-half-year drought

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton stated that it has been 'mentally challenging' for him to stay motivated in the last couple of years as he found himself away from competitive machinery that could get him race wins and championships.

In his post-race press conference, the 39-year-old said:

"I think just it's been incredibly mentally challenging. Everything that's happened this year as well, with so many emotions this year, obviously announcing that I'm leaving and at the same time starting with a car that we didn't feel that we could win with to then finally be in a place where we win and not only that but at the British Grand Prix in front of my home crowd there is…

"Honestly, it's the most incredible honor to be standing on the top of the podium."

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have won the British GP eight times in their 12-year-long partnership in F1. He has also closed the gap to his teammate George Russell to one point, with 110 points to his name after 12 races and three Sprints.