Sports
Hamilton Ends Winless Streak with Emotional Victory at British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton experienced a moment of redemption at the British Grand Prix, returning to the top step of a Formula 1 podium after a two-year, seven-month, and two-day hiatus. His victory, achieved in front of a supportive home crowd and his family, broke the record for wins at a single track.
“I can’t stop crying,” Hamilton said after the race. “That might be the most emotional ending to a race I think I have probably ever had.”
A Journey Through Adversity
Hamilton’s last victory was at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, amid a fierce title fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Following that season, Hamilton considered leaving the sport but chose to return with a mission to reclaim what he felt was an unjustly lost title. However, Mercedes struggled with new regulations, and Hamilton faced a challenging period of self-doubt and team difficulties.
Reflecting on this challenging period, Hamilton shared, “The adversity we have gone through as a team and I have personally experienced… So many times when you feel like your best shot is not good enough, and the disappointment sometimes you can feel.”
Overcoming Mental Health Challenges
Hamilton acknowledged the impact of mental health struggles during this time, stating, “We live in a time when mental health is such a serious issue and I am not going to lie (and deny) that I have experienced that.”
The long wait for a win took a toll on his confidence, leading to moments of doubt about his abilities and future victories. “There have definitely been moments between 2021 and here when I didn’t feel like I was good enough, or I thought it was never going to happen again.”
An Emotional Triumph
The victory at Silverstone was particularly poignant for Hamilton, who described it as a culmination of his life’s journey. Competing at his home grand prix, in front of a passionate crowd that supported him through every turn, made the moment even more special.
“Honestly, when I came back in 2022, I thought that I was over it,” Hamilton said. “And I know I wasn’t, and it’s taken a long time to heal that kind of feeling… I’ve just been continuing to try and work on myself and find that inner peace day by day.”
Hamilton’s win at Silverstone, a track he considers the “best in the world,” was not just the end of a winless streak but a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the support of his fans.
Warren Gatland is set to leave his role as Wales head coach after a record-breaking 14 consecutive Test match defeats, bringing an early end to his second tenure in charge.
Although the 61-year-old was contracted until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he was already expected to step down after the Six Nations. Now, his departure will come midway through the tournament, with Wales still set to face Ireland on 22 February in Cardiff, Scotland on 8 March, and England on 15 March.
Possible successors include former Australia coach Michael Cheika, Glasgow’s Franco Smith, and Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby.
Gatland, who enjoyed a highly successful 12-year first stint with Wales—winning three Grand Slams and leading the team to two World Cup semi-finals—returned in December 2022 to replace Wayne Pivac. However, his second tenure has been marred by poor performances, with Wales suffering their worst losing streak in 144 years of international rugby. The 22-15 loss to Italy last weekend cemented their decline, dropping them to 12th in the world rankings.
In total, Gatland has overseen 151 Tests across both spells, with 76 wins, 73 losses, and two draws. His recent record stands at just six victories in 26 matches, a win ratio of only 23%.
Tiger Woods has pulled out of this week’s Genesis Invitational, stating he is “still processing” the recent death of his mother, Kultida Woods.
The 15-time major champion, who had initially planned to participate, announced his withdrawal on social media, saying, “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.”
Woods’ mother, Kultida, passed away on February 4. Just days later, tournament organizers had confirmed Woods’ participation in the event, which is now being held at Torrey Pines instead of its usual Riviera Country Club venue due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
Woods has not played a PGA Tour event since The Open at Royal Troon last July. His competitive appearances have been sporadic since a 2021 car accident left him with severe leg injuries, and he underwent additional back surgery in September. Most recently, he played alongside his son, Charlie, in a 36-hole event in December and participated in an exhibition for the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), which he co-founded.
As the tournament host, Woods hopes to attend the Genesis Invitational later in the week but has not committed to a specific timeline. The event benefits his TGR Foundation, which supports youth education initiatives.
Fans and fellow players have expressed their condolences and support for Woods as he navigates this difficult time.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Spurs’ Europa League clash against Elfsborg last week and will undergo surgery.
Dragusin is expected to be sidelined for at least six months, though recovery from ACL injuries can sometimes extend to a year. Tottenham confirmed that their medical team will monitor his rehabilitation to determine his return timeline.
The Romanian international had become a key figure for Spurs, starting 21 of their last 23 games. His absence adds to an already extensive injury list, which includes Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke. However, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies have recently returned to action.
Dragusin joined Tottenham from Genoa in January 2024 in a £25 million deal. To bolster their defensive options, Spurs signed Austria international Kevin Danso on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy for £21 million. They also made an ambitious £70 million bid for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, which was rejected, but secured the signing of 19-year-old attacker Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.
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