Hamilton celebrates 'best ever win'

The McLaren driver, the first British winner at Silverstone since David Coulthard in 2000, survived the action-filled race to clinch his third win of the season and move into the lead of the championship.

Hamilton finished over a minute behind second-placed Nick Heidfeld, and the Briton lapped everybody but the German and Honda's Rubens Barrichello.

"It is definitely and by far the best victory I've ever had," said Hamilton. "It was one of the toughest races I have ever done. I was thinking out there if I win it it will be the best race I have ever done, not just because of the home crowd.

"On the last laps I could see the crowd starting standing up, and I was praying, praying 'just finish'. You can imagine the emotions going on inside and I wanted to get it around.

"I want to dedicate this one to my family, as you know I have had some trouble in the last few weeks and it has been tough, but the family is there for you, and before the race my brother said 'don't worry about it'. So thanks to them."

Hamilton admitted there were moments when the conditions were extreme, with heavy rain hitting the track during the second half of the race.

"It was so extreme out there, probably as extreme in some cases as Fuji last year. Obviously not as much rain, such tricky conditions. The first sector would not be so bad, but in the second sector there was big drops.

"I couldn't see through my visor, so through turn one and two I had to clean visor, put it up and back down again. I had to do that on every lap especially when it was rained. I couldn't see anything. It was so extreme, so tough, a real mental challenge."

Hamilton was thankful to the British fans after a difficult couple of weeks for him, in which he came under fire from the British press following two races without any points.

"To be honest this morning I wasn't feeling great but not until I got to the track and spoke to my family. I saw some kids and saw the fans at the gate ad all this was giving me energy and all of a sudden I had some energy.

"I went to Paddock Club and Mercedes-Benz club, had so much support, so a huge thanks to the fans, they have been incredible and without their support I would not be here."