British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton wins, Sebastian Vettel puncture ruins Ferrari's race
LEWIS HAMILTON cruised to a FIFTH British Grand Prix victory to chip into Sebastian Vettel’s Drivers’ Championship lead as the German suffered a shock puncture on the final lap.
Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix with ease
The Briton cut Vettel’s world championship lead to one point following a supreme performance.
Valtteri Bottas finished second after Kimi Raikkonen suffered a late puncture giving Mercedes a one-two.
Somehow the Ferrari driver managed to maintain third and a place on the podium though.
There was even more late drama as Vettel also suffered a tyre failure to drop right down to seventh.
Lewis Hamilton has now claimed five Silverstone victories
After his superb drive, Hamilton said: “It's never easy. The support has been incredible this weekend.
“I am so proud I could do this for you all. The team were faultless all weekend. Valtteri had an incredible drive to go from ninth.
“Now the plan is to win the championship.”
Hamilton’s historic drive means he now equals the record held by Jim Clark and Alain Prost with five British Grand Prix wins to his name.
The three-time world champion was never challenged after a fast start and managed to pull away from the pack before making an exemplary first pit stop.
From there he was able to manage his tyres and car to the finish line to complete a perfect weekend.
Hamilton gets enthusiastic reception during Silverstone parade
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory
It was a completely different story for Vettel though as he faced battles with Max Verstappen and Bottas throughout the afternoon.
And his late puncture compounded his terrible day leaving the driver’s world championship on a knife-edge.
Bottas was very happy with his drive to finish second ahead of his countryman Raikkonen.
He explained: “I'm really happy today, It was not an easy race to start from P9.
“The team did a perfect strategy and I just kept my head down. It's a perfect weekend and well done to Lewis.”