He may have been a Top Gun on Sunday, thanks to the BBC’s rather cheesy VT including David Coulthard and The Red Arrows, but Lewis Hamilton will have to settle for Hot Rod here on Badger GP due to the brilliance of Mark Webber.

This race will go down as a race Hamilton *should* have won. If it hadn’t been for those pesky Pirellis. He seemed relaxed and ease with himself during qualifying on Saturday, taking the time to wave to the fans from the pit wall during a live session, before posting a blistering lap around the Northamptonshire track – a full half a second faster than his team-mate and 6 tenths up on championship leader Sebastian Vettel – setting the lap record in the process.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1
Photo: Mercedes AMG F1

After looking very comfortable in the opening 8 laps the racing gods conspired against Lewis with the new Jelly-esque Italian rubber and razor sharp Silverstone  curbing lacerating his rear left tyre and putting him plumb last.

A quite brilliant (and slightly safety car aided) drive ensued. The fan-favorite dragged  his damaged Mercedes up to a very respectable 4th, with some signature ballsy overtakes and just plain fast driving in the process.

Any other day Lewis would have been celebrating a much deserved home win with the adoration that goes with it, but it was not meant to be.

Never mind Lewis, better luck next time.