Hamilton triumphs in British thriller

What a race! After the constant criticism of Formula 1 this year it was fantastic to finally see what the sport is all about for the first time this year, proper racing. That I had got my ticket around this time last year to be track side on the national straight made it even better.

There's always a huge sense of anticipation and tension as the race approaches. When you attend a race at Silverstone it's likely you've got up at stupid o'clock in the morning to avoid the traffic, I was at the track by 6am and took a walk around the circuit as Silverstone quickly filled up with a sell out attendance of 140,000 . People say the popularity of F1 is in decline but it was difficult to feel that when surrounded by so many enthusiastic fans of the sport, many of whom would have been queueing overnight to secure the best spots in the general admission areas.

Once settled in my grandstand seat the support races were entertaining enough, GP3 and GP2 showcasing some of the talents that will grace motor racings main event one day. But it's always all about the Grand Prix. After some air displays the pit lane opens at 12.30pm for the F1 cars to come out on to the track before they line up on the grid.

The cars may not be as loud as they once were, but when an F1 car comes into view you're left in little doubt you're seeing the best racing machines in the world. They're still loud enough and that pleasing whine of the turbo and the energy recovery systems give them a futuristic edge.

When Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes came round for the first time there was an explosion of noise from the crowd; cheering, claxons, applauding. Mexican waves went around the grandstands as the start of the race came nearer. At 1pm the final parade lap began. Where I was seated we watched the big screen until they came into view only a minute away from the start, the cars darting from side to side, accelerating and braking harshly, anything to get the tyres and brakes up to temperature ready for the race.

Once past us, all eyes turned to the screens again as they lined up on the grid, home grown hero Hamilton on pole position, his team mate Nico Rosberg alongside on the front row, the two championship contenders with just 10 points between them were ready to do battle once again.

One by one the red lights came on, engine notes rose, lights out, clutches dropped, the stands go mad, they're off. Groans from the partisan crowd, Hamilton hasn't got a good start, The Williams cars of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas have launched between both the dominant Mercedes to lead.

There were cheers as Hamilton immediately strikes back into turn three and takes second from Bottas, he's chasing down Massa immediately. Looking at the screens there's an accident behind involving both Lotus cars, Jenson Button's McLaren comes to a halt too, more groaning from the crowd. 

Nevermind that now, Massa charges into view, head down, what an opportunity for the Williams team as they lead for the first time this year. What an opportunity for Mercedes to have a race with someone other than themselves. What a race to be at.

1-2-3-4 Massa, Hamilton, Bottas and Rosberg flash past me, with the rest of the field behind still coping with the opening lap madness. Then someone points at the screen, safety car is out, the field slows, anyone with a camera readies themselves for the next lap, safety car time is always a good photo op to get the cars at a lower speed although

It only lasts for a few laps before the guttural roar of the turbo engines are released once more. Massa slides a little on the restart, Hamilton's on him, the fans urge the #44 Mercedes to attack. Hamilton charges but locks up, runs wide and allows Bottas back through. Cue more disappointment from the majority of the crowd. It's not over though, it's a 52 lap race and we're only on lap 4.

For the next 21 laps the Williams cars hold off the Mercedes', all four of them looking for opportunities to pass. Bottas looks to be the quicker Williams, but he's unable to make a move stick, despite repeated efforts. Hamilton is having the occasional go, but as they zip in front of me once again it's beginning to look like if the Williams team play their hand well, they could cause the biggest upset we've seen in years.

Behind the top four the Ferrari's of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel are trapped behind the fast starting Force India of Nico Hulkenberg who jumped to fifth, Kimi is chasing him, but he's got the impressive Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat charging hard behind him while Vettel has fallen to ninth, passed by the other Force India of Sergio Perez.

As the race unfolds before me, I briefly wonder why as the lights went out so many fans were disappointed in the start. They may want Lewis to win, but instead of cruising to an undramatic win as most races have seen this year, surely it's better to see him fight for victory? And at the present time an unpredictable race is just the ticket for Formula 1. 

Then the game changer arrives, Massa, Bottas and Rosberg, straight past. Hamilton isn't there, he's pitted. Eyes on the screens now, Hamilton's out ahead of the fifth placed Hulkenberg, only just. He's back in view now, the crowd roars, a huge round of applause reverberates around the grandstand, around the whole circuit as soon as he's in view cajoling him along. The Mercedes is charging. This is his opportunity on fresh rubber, maximum grip, take it to the edge, push push push.

Massa and Rosberg come in on the next lap discarding their old tyres for new boots, but it's not enough. Williams reacted to Mercedes rather than show initiative, Massa emerges from the pits, Hamilton's through into the lead, there is such a gleeful noise as the crowd erupts once again.

Bottas pits a further lap later coming out in third, crucially ahead of Rosberg. As the laps go by Hamilton extends the gap as Rosberg lies behind in fourth, trapped behind the Williams. Behind the top four the Ferrari's with Kimi ahead of Vettel are now fifth and sixth. There's still plenty going on down the field, the drivers chasing to get the best from their day.

It's beginning to look like a Hamilton win, but you can never be entirely sure, especially when it's becoming increasingly noticeable that skies are darkening and the temperature is dropping. I feel a few drops of rain. With around just under 20 laps to go, the clouds break, coats go on and the rain falls in fits and bursts, the cars are sliding.

It's one of the most impressive things to see a 900bhp car slipping and twitching, always looking to break away into a beautiful pirouette while in the cockpit the driver is all over the place on the steering wheel trying to maintain forward motion, feet so delicate on the throttle and brake.

There is an audible gasp and then an ahh as a Ferrari tries to break free from it's drivers control. It's collected up but immediately bucks again, a quick correction and it's under control for now. The track glistens more as the rain falls and the sun shines, the inevitable oxymoron of a British summer. It's time for Rosberg to make his moves though. If he wants to keep Hamilton in sight in the championship he can't sit back in fourth and everyone knows Williams aren't great in the wet.

Rosberg is on the back of Bottas as they slide past in front of me. I look down towards copse corner and see Bottas twitch, its enough for Nico to charge ahead. He's soon passing Massa as well and as the rain comes down even more he's catching Hamilton quickly. Lap 42 he's nearly onto his team mate. With the rain getting lighter and few having changed to intermediate tyres, it's now that Hamilton curiously decides to pit, around the circuit breath is being inhaled. Has Lewis just thrown this race away?

Rosberg is in the lead, but it's now pouring, Rosberg pits to get on the right rubber, Hamilton leads once more. Everyone exhale. Rooster tales of spray are ejected behind the cars, Vettel and Alonso have been particularly impressive during the H2O dilemma, with the Ferrari now third ahead of both Williams cars and Alonso hauling the recalcitrant McLaren into 10th and a point.

Onto the last lap, there are smiles beaming, so many cheering as Lewis rounds the final turn to win the best race of the season. Soon after the gates to the circuit are opened and thousands stream on to the track eager to walk the tarmac.

I do another lap of the circuit and just as I reach the pit straight Hamilton is on the pit fence looking over the crowd and taking in the adoration. It was a great day at Silverstone and a great day for Formula 1 as a sport.

There are still plenty of things wrong with F1 but it's more the monetary side than anything. Yes perhaps it would be good to make the cars even faster, but there should be not unnecessary messing around with the weekend format or anything else gimmicky. 

The British Grand Prix showed there is still enthusiasm for the sport and the fastest driving in the world; when it's at its best it puts on some of the best sporting entertainment around. 

Of course as I idly thought about the state of Formula 1 while I left the pit straight and the hoards of fans congregated there I suddenly remembered I still had a lot of driving to do myself, and leaving Silverstone I knew it was going to an awful lot slower as 140,000 others did the same. 

all photographs taken by Paul English