From his 2008 heroics in the Silverstone rain to winning from 14th on the grid at Hockenheim a decade later, Hamilton has delivered some unforgettable moments over the years
Hamilton’s greatest recovery drive may still be his fightback from 18th to second in
Turkey at a GP2 race but then there was this outstanding win, his only victory from below 10th on the grid. He suffered a hydraulic problem in qualifying and started from 14th at Hockenheim with
Sebastian Vettel – in a quicker
Ferrari at that point in the season – on pole. Hamilton immediately hared off through the midfield and swiftly made it to fourth when the rain descended. Always supreme in the wet he was quickest on track, his pace immediately pressured those in front and on lap 52 Vettel made a huge, unforced error, sliding off at the Sachskurve. Greater drama followed as Hamilton made a last-minute decision to abort a call to come into the pits and, with Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen both stopping, Hamilton had the lead. Bottas attacked on fresh tyres but was called off by Mercedes and Hamilton secured a victory that had looked all but impossible after qualifying.