F1: Hamilton wins in Britain

Although he began in sixth position due to poor qualifying, Hamilton managed to come from behind and roar past his opponents at the Silverstone Circuit in Britain on Sunday, cruising neck-and-neck with his teammate Nico Rosberg.

The Mercedes drivers traded the lead in laps 19 and 24, but Rosberg was ultimately forced to retire early from the race due to gearbox problems, handing the win to Hamilton.

"It was just slowly but surely," said Rosberg of his car problems. "It started on lap 20 and then it just got worse from there. There was nothing I could do or that they could suggest to save the gearbox."

"I was very much in control until then," added the German. "That's why it's all the more disappointing."

Hamilton closes gap

The Brit clocked in at 2 hours, 26 minutes and 52.094 seconds around 52 laps of the 5.891-kilometer Silverstone Circuit. He now trails Rosberg in the World Championship standings by just four points. Hamilton won a world title only once before in 2008.

"England!" the Brit shouted as he won the race. "I couldn't be happier. I'm sorry about yesterday, but a fantastic job today, as ever."

Valtteri Bottas of Williams was well adrift of Hamilton, coming in 30.135 seconds after the winner. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull came in third.

The race was delayed in the first lap when Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari slammed into the guardrail and was left immobile on the track. The Finn escaped with only minor injuries.

Felipe Massa of Williams took evasive action to avoid the wreckage, but still clipped his vehicle, forcing him to bow out of the race after just one lap.

slk/mz (AFP, dpa, Reuters)