Hamilton win blows F1 championship wide open

LEWIS Hamilton says the world championship has been blown wide open after he moved to within one point of Sebastian Vettel following a crushing victory at the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton dominated from start to finish at Silverstone to secure a record-equalling fifth victory, and his fourth in succession in front of his home supporters.

The Briton’s triumphant weekend was made all the more sweeter when Vettel, on course to finish third, suffered a puncture on the penultimate lap.

Vettel’s tyre failure saw him drop to seventh, and allowed Hamilton to take 19 points out of his championship lead as he bids to become the first Briton to win four titles.

“I did not expect to come away from this weekend just one point behind Sebastian,” Hamilton said.

“This result really opens up the championship.

“Obviously the pendulum swung a little bit this weekend and I think that’s only good for Formula One, only good for the fans, and super-exciting for them to see the close battle that we’re continuing to have.”

Hamilton, who celebrated his victory by crowd-surfing with the jubilant British fans, arrived at his home race under a cloud after he courted criticism for dodging a promotional event in London last Wednesday.

Hamilton’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed the Englishman was inspired by the backlash.

“I think maybe that performance is an answer to the critics,” Wolff said.

“I still don’t understand why the British hero is being beaten up before the grand prix. It probably made him even more determined to show his fans how he can drive — and he can drive.”