Hamilton: That's as close as it gets

Lewis Hamilton reckons that's as "close as it's going to get" after beating Felipe Massa to fourth place by 0.024s at Silverstone

Hamilton had appeared to be on track for a podium finish at his home grand prix as he was lapping in third place ahead of Mark Webber with nine laps to go.

However, the Brit was then informed by his team that he did not have enough fuel to finish the race and need to converse fuel.

It was a blow to the McLaren driver's hopes as he could do little to defend against Webber, who was cruising up behind. The Aussie easily took P3 off Hamilton.

The attacks, though, didn't stop there as just two laps from the end of the race, Hamilton came under pressure from Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Doing everything he could to keep the Ferrari at bay, Hamilton was finally informed on the final lap that he could push. But, by that stage, Massa was right there.

The duo had an intense and thrilling battle for fourth place, which even resulted in them touching and pieces of Hamilton's bodywork flying off his car.

The Brit, though, held on to finish P4, securing a much-needed 12 World Championship points.

"That was as close as it's going to get. It was crazy," Hamilton told the BBC.

"First of all, the team did a fantastic job with all the pit stops.

"Coming here today, knowing the support we had, I've never seen so many people here.

"The support is far greater than any other driver gets anywhere else. I felt it spurring me on.

"I had a good start, made some places up but unfortunately towards end I had to save fuel. I had to give Webber his position.

"Then on the last lap they said now you can push and I was like 'thanks, after I'd let him catch me up' but I was not giving him that position."

Source: Planet-F1