Lewis in a dream

something like that today but I really manifested my dream today.

“It was so tough out there. Conditions were perfect for business time and when it rained, I knew I would have a good position.

“I’m just so grateful for the team and their belief in me. For those that don’t know me, now you do.”

The last comment would seem to refer to the negativity Hamilton claims to have felt in the build-up to the race and the questions over whether he had caused the damage which cut short his qualifying run.

But it was a short cut Hamilton took in the race which brought his precious win into doubt after a late decision to abort a pit stop saw him veer across the grass and back onto the track.

He added: “It was just the most confusing second and a half! I honestly thought I was going to stay out, I was happy with my tyres.

“Then they said come in and I saw Valtteri coming in and I thought, ‘Are they sure about it?’.

“By the time I got in they were like, ‘No, stay out!’ and it was literally, ‘Go left, go right’ and I just slowed down and trundled across some grass to make sure I rejoined the track as safe as I could.”

A crestfallen Vettel said: “It’s disappointing because up to that point everything was sweet, but we didn’t need the rain.

“It was just one of those moments. I had it in my hands – small mistake, big disappointment.”