Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton soaked up the energy of a roaring home crowd to win the British Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Sunday and forge 17 points clear of Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg.

Germany's Sebastian Vettel finished third for Ferrari, behind Rosberg, with Williams driver Felipe Massa bumped off the podium after leading for the first 20 laps following a blistering start. On a tricky afternoon of safety cars, sunshine and showers Hamilton got his choice of tyres exactly right to chalk up his 38th career win and fifth of the season -- and get his hands on a 'proper' gold trophy.

The victory in front of an estimated 140,000 fans made Hamilton only the third Briton, after Jim Clark and Nigel Mansell, to win three times at home.

"I just didn't want to drop it for them," added the Briton, who had made a sluggish start from pole position as Massa roared through from the second row to lead into the first corner.

"I am so elated you cannot imagine. I started to tear up on that last lap hoping I could do it for all the guys. Thanks for all the support."

Rosberg, who was fourth at the end of the first lap, said his team mate had made the right call at the right time in pitting for intermediates just as the rain began to come down heavily.

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