Hamilton hails Silverstone win as greatest ever moment
Sunday, 06 Jul 2008 21:38
Lewis Hamilton's McLaren team made the right tactical changes in the wet conditions
Lewis Hamilton has hailed his victory in the British grand prix as the greatest moment in his career.
The Briton thrilled the 90,000 crowd at Silverstone by taking the chequered flag 68.5 seconds ahead of BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld.
After failing to score points in the last two races in Montreal and Magny-Cours, Hamilton is now level on points with Ferrari duo Felipe Massa, who languished in 13th, and world champion Kimi Raikkonen who was fourth.
Hamilton joins an exclusive list of Britons to win their home race including Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and David Coulthard, who was the last to triumph in 2000.
The 23-year-old said his victory today surpasses his victory in the Monaco grand prix in May.
"It is by far the best victory I've ever had," Hamilton said.
"The conditions were bad and as I was driving I thought, 'If I win this, it will be the best race I've ever done.'
"On my last lap, I could see the crowd starting to rise to their feet, and I was just praying, praying, praying I could get the car round.
"I want to dedicate this to my family because we all know I've had some troubles of late, so this is for them."
It was contrasting fortunes for Briton David Coulthard, who ended up in the gravel after clipping Sebastian Vettel in the Toro Rosso.
The Red Bull driver, who announced on Thursday that he is retiring at the end of the season, said: "I'm truly disappointed. I'm sorry for the team.
"I went for a gap and didn't make the move, coming together with Sebastian, so taking out two Red Bulls.
"In a race like that you have to take your opportunities when they come, but unfortunately it was a bad decision." 