'Perfect' Result for Hamilton

The ASM driver dominated the race from pole position and was handed further good luck when his closest championship challengers hit trouble. Second placed Adrian Sutil retired after hitting the wall, while James Rossiter was sidelined after getting caught up in a first corner incident. It has left Hamilton with a 41-points advantage in the title chase.

Speaking after the race a delighted Hamilton said: "I think this race could not have been better. The result is just what I needed, and although it was unfortunate for Adrian and James, it is just what I wanted."

Hamilton stormed away from pole position to open up a 1.7 seconds margin by the end of the first lap - and he was then able to control the gap before the Safety Car was called out following Loic Duval's big crash.

"The race was straightforward in terms of getting a good start, keeping the lead and trying to keep a gap," added Hamilton. "The layout of this track makes it quite hard to build a gap and on the first lap I tried to build as big a gap as possible, but then it stabilised.

"I wasn't able to get a big gap from Adrian but I thought he had crashed when the Safety Car came out."

With the Safety Car having wiped out his lead, Hamilton knew it was important to get a good restart with Sebastian Vettel right on his tail for the run to the chequered flag.

"I was quite chilled about it actually - and that is the most important thing," he said. "I had a six second lead at that point and lost it, but that is racing.

"I knew Sebastian was right behind and I had to try and make sure I caught him unawares. I got the gap and it was perfect."