Lewis Hamilton claimed a record sixth British Grand Prix victory, and the 80th of his career, in a thrilling Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Hamilton profited from a well-timed Safety Car period in the wake of an early scrap for the lead with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas to win by almost 25 seconds.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third at the conclusion of an eventful grand prix.
The Mercedes drivers fought for position during an enthralling first few laps, after Bottas aggressively defended his lead off the line and into Abbey.
Their closest battle came on lap four, with Hamilton going around the outside of Bottas through Brooklands, and taking the lead into Luffield.
Bottas responded and the pair went side-by-side along the old straight, resulting in Bottas re-taking the advantage into Copse.
The W10s remained split by just a second and it was Bottas who came in first on lap 16 of 52, taking on another set of Mediums, meaning he would have to stop again.
Hamilton extended his first stint on Mediums and profited when the Safety Car was deployed on lap 20 to retrieve Antonio Giovinazzi’s stricken Alfa Romeo, after he spun into the gravel at Vale.
It gave Hamilton a free stop over Bottas and he took on a fresh set of Hard tyres, emerging from the pit lane atop the pack, without needing to make another stop.
Hamilton retained the lead thereafter while Bottas came in with six laps remaining for a fresh set of Soft tyres, emerging in a comfortable second position.
It enabled Bottas to set a string of purple sector times but Hamilton responded by snatching away the fastest lap on the very last lap.
The fight for the final spot on the podium ebbed and flowed in frantic fashion through much of the race, with Leclerc and Verstappen battling tooth-and-nail in the early stages.
The pair often ran side-by-side as they duelled it out but their scrap was compromised by the Safety Car period, as both needed to make a second stop.
That gave third place to Vettel and, having survived an attack from Leclerc, Verstappen edged clear, passed his team-mate, and reeled in the four-time World Champion.
Verstappen went around the outside of Vettel through Stowe but the Ferrari driver tried to retaliate as they approached Club, only to run into the back of his rival.
Verstappen’s RB15 was sent flying over a kerb and into the gravel but he was able to continue in the race, while Vettel returned to the pits to repair front-end damage and dropped out of contention.
Vettel was deemed culpable for the incident and hit with a 10-second time penalty.
That collision elevated Leclerc – who had been the fastest Ferrari driver throughout the weekend – back into third spot, with Gasly taking a season-best fourth, capping a much-improved display.
Verstappen came home fifth in the wake of his assault from Vettel.
Carlos Sainz Jr. profited from the neutralisation period to take sixth place, resisting Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, while Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen added more points with a resolute drive to eighth.
Daniil Kvyat took ninth while Alexander Albon clung to the final point until the last few laps, when he was overhauled by Nico Hulkenberg and the out-of-luck Lando Norris, whose early promise was squandered by the Safety Car’s timing.
Albon dropped to 12th, ahead of Lance Stroll and the Williams pair of George Russell and Robert Kubica, with Vettel only 16th after his delay and penalty.
Sergio Perez was the last of 17 classified runners after he lost his front wing when he clipped Hulkenberg at the restart.
Haas’ day was compromised by a first-lap clash between its drivers.
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen brushed wheels heading through Aintree, causing punctures to both cars, and leaving them at the back of the field.
Magnussen retired shortly after the incident while Grosjean joined him in the pits a few laps later.
The next round of the season takes place in Germany from July 26 to 28
