06 July,2015 08:29 AM IST | | Abhishek Takle
Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton gave a record crowd of his home fans their money's worth by taking victory in a dramatic British Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg
Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the British GP yesterday
Silverstone: Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton gave a record crowd of his home fans their money's worth by taking victory in a dramatic British Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg yesterday.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the British GP yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Hamilton crossed the line 10.9 seconds ahead of Rosberg after 52 intense laps around the historic Silverstone circuit to take the 38th victory of his career and his third on home soil. Germany's Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari was third.
Hamilton truly at home
Following yesterday's win Hamilton, who also won at last Silverstone last year and on his way to his maiden title triumph in 2008, becomes only the third British driver to take three or more victories at home.
"I'm so elated, I just started to tear up on the last lap," Hamilton said immediately after the race on the podium as the record crowd of 140,000 fans cheered and blared their air horns in celebration.
"Every lap I could see you from the corner of my eye and I really feel you spurred me on," the 30-year-old added.
The victory at Silverstone was Hamilton's fifth of the season from nine races so far. It ends title-rival Rosberg's run of three wins from the last four races and allows him to extend his lead over the German to 17 points with ten races to go.
Hamilton had started the race from pole ahead of Rosberg who completed a Mercedes front row lockout in qualifying. But it was far from the usual, straightforward, lights-to-flag romp for the dominant Silver Arrows pair.
