Lewis Hamilton edges Rosberg to win British Grand Prix

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix for the second year in a row with teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg finishing the second.

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel finished third for Ferrari, with Williams driver Felipe Massa denied a top-three finish after leading for the first 20 laps following a blistering start.

On a tricky afternoon of safety cars, sunshine and showers, a late call for intermediate tyres by Hamilton proved to be the pivotal moment for the Mercedes driver to chalk up his 38th career win and fifth of the season – and send him 17 points clear in the drivers’ standings.

The world champion and Mercedes team-mate Rosberg were both left standing at the lights as Felipe Massa streaked away from third place on the grid. With Williams team-mate Valtteri Bottas also managing to get ahead, Hamilton had to wait until the first round of pit stops to reclaim the lead.

The victory in front of an estimated 140,000 fans made Hamilton only the third Briton, after Jim Clark and Nigel Mansell, to win three times at home.

"I really wanted to do it for you guys," he told the crowd from the podium. "I am so thankful for all the support. I could see all the fans on every lap in the corner of my eye and it spurred me on.