We wondered if Lewis Hamilton might make British Grand Prix history this weekend. We wondered if the Briton might regain the drivers' championship lead. We wondered if he might follow the success of the England football team he loves to cheer on.

It didn't work out that way. It used to be the England footballers who always got beaten by the Germans. But at Silverstone today, that narrative was transferred to F1 - as Sebastian Vettel came out on top.

F1 takes a break next weekend - and it's been a while since we've said that. Then we go to Germany, and do it all again. If it's anywhere near as exciting as today's race, it'll be well worth you joining us.

Thanks for your company and your comments - we'll see you for all the fun at Hockenheim.

Image source, Reuters

Lewis Hamilton had to earn his money to get second place today after his troubles at the start. He's pretty nifty with an F1 steering wheel - but how do they work?

Well, Jolyon Palmer managed to get hold of one, and talks you through it in this video.

Plenty for you to get your teeth into as well, and BBC Radio 5 live want to hear from you.

Jennie Gow, Jack Nicholls and Jolyon Palmer will be taking your calls on Slicks-0-Six from 18:00 BST. Call 08085 909 693 and text 85058. That includes you, Lewis, if you fancy it.

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Our chief F1 writer Andrew Benson's verdict on the race is live on the site - plenty for him to get his teeth into. Plenty.

Max Verstappen, who retired from the race, speaking to Sky Sports: "I had a brake-by-wire issue but then it recovered. However after the second safety car the brake pedal went literally to the floor and I spun off.

"We were too slow on the straight to do anything. You could see all the time when we had a safety car we were like drag racing. We were so slow, it was a joke.

"It is racing, I’ve had it many times before and for sure it will happen in the future. For sure I would have liked to have finished fifth and get some points but now we go home with nothing."

More carefully chosen words from Lewis Hamilton now, courtesy of a paddock interview with Sky Sports.

How was that, his interviewer Natalie Pinkham asked. "It was OK," he said. More than OK, the interviewer suggested. Hamilton decided against answering directly.

"We had such a good turn out here," he said. "It is the way it is and you live to fight another day.

"Already from a poor start and then seeing every car pass you is definitely a big hit but you just have to keep your head down and I used the crowd to spur me on."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Silverstone

Here are two absolutely delighted Ferrari fans. Ramos Sinkus (left) and Vygis Cabauskas have come to Silverstone from Lithuania for six years running and for the past five years have had to watch Mercedes wins. But not this year.

"Sebastian Vettel has got better than last year and is extremely worthy of the victory," said Ramos, who thinks the German would have won the race even if Raikkonen hadn't caused Hamilton to spin early on.

Vygis added: "I was a bit upset with the second safety car as it helped Mercedes but we have had that in previous races and in some races when it has helped Ferrari. Vettel was miles ahead of Hamilton, half a second.

"I think it is going to be close (in the championship) all season but I think Vettel is going to win it. At all the strategic circuits, they are being won by Ferrari. Mercedes have always been strong here but we've beaten them."

Although both delighted with the win, both disagree on next year's Ferrari line-up. Ramos expects them to give Raikkonen another season, while Vygis expects Charles Leclerc to be partnering Vettel.

Image source, .

Michael Emons, who has been doing a sterling job of capturing the Silverstone atmosphere for us all weekend, has found two very happy Ferrari fans with an absolutely massive flag. Incoming...

It doesn't come across so much when written down, but there was a strong sense of Hamilton choosing his words carefully there - in terms of trying to avoid dragging himself into any further controversy.

Lewis Hamilton, speaking in the post-race news conference, has steered clear of making further criticisms of Ferrari. He has, however, congratulated England's footballers for making the World Cup semi-finals.

He says: "I'm grateful for the England football team doing great this weekend and keeping it positive. We are in a tough battle this year. It is the most intense battle I think we have all had but I am very grateful the car was still in one piece after the Turn 3 incident.

"To get back to second was huge for us and I will take it for us I'm happy with the drive and what the team were able to do. We just have to work harder. [Pause.] That's all."

Charles Leclerc, who retired from the race, tells Sky Sports: "Seventh was definitely on the cards today.

On Sauber's double retirement, with Marcus Ericsson crashing: "It is shame but it is motorsport and sometimes it is not fair."

Another frustrated driver was Charles Leclerc, who was forced to retire in the Sauber after a botched pit stop left him returning to the track with a loose wheel. Let's get his reaction...

Hayley Morris: So Grosjean deliberately hit Sainz? Collisions happen in F1. The patriotism towards Hamilton, whilst commendable, is also a little embarrassing sometimes. This wasn't Senna v Prost. Great drive from Seb, decent recovery from Hamilton. We go to Germany.

Just Mick: So many people accusing Kimi and Ferrari of dirty tactics. Kimi wouldn't - he's a straight-as-they-come racer. And front wheel versus rear wheel usually breaks the front wheel or wing. Too risky.

Regular Jon: If Hamilton keeps driving like he has this weekend, the last 2 races will hopefully be a small blip in another title winning season. Ferrari will have bad luck at some stage. Don’t forget Vettel threw it away in the 2nd half of last season.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who finished fifth, told Sky Sports: "We didn't have the legs. I am looking forward to a week off now.

"With the triple header, every race we had something not going our way. We've been a bit unlucky. Since Monaco we have not had things go our way. I'll take the Monaco win but I don't want that to be the last hurrah.

"We will just try and turn it around in the next two races but looking forward to a week away from race cars."

Quite a few frustrated drivers leaving the track today - among them the Red Bulls. Max Verstappen retired late on, while Daniel Ricciardo had to settle for fifth. Ricciardo, who retired in Austria on his birthday last weekend, isn't enjoying much luck at the moment.

Dan Bell: Ferrari benefiting from crashing into the Mercedes doesn’t seem right to me.

Justin Y: Of course, everyone would say it was Raikkonen's fault, this is Silverstone and Hamilton is British. Put yourself in Raikkonen's shoes? Would you let Hamilton pass? No.

Writing by Naomi: Taking Hamilton out was a poor trick & dirty tactics - Raikkonen used to be better than that, Ferrari never were - really bad sportsmanship & a sad day for F1.

Chamath De Silva: Lewis had a great drive but silly comments about Ferrari. Didn't he smash into the back of Kimi in Canada 2008 when he missed a red light in the pit lane? Take the points and move on.

Valtteri Bottas, speaking to Sky Sports: "Afterwards it is quite easy to say yes, we should have pitted under the safety car. We took a risk but I felt there was definitely a possibility to go to the very end.

"I was trying everything I could to stay ahead but then the tyres degrade quicker as well. I tried my best but it was not good enough."

Lot of debate about Mercedes' decision not to pit during the safety car periods. Valtteri Bottas has now had his say on the matter...

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivebene, speaking to Sky Sports: "For Formula 1 this is good. At a spectacular track like Silverstone, having a battle like this, I think it's good not only for Ferrari but also for Formula 1.

"The most important problem for Seb was his neck. It was really hurting yesterday, this morning he got a lot of treatment and to be honest before the race I was really very concerned about him. Today he fought like a lion.

"Here it's not easy, it's the home race of Mercedes, the home race of Red Bull, so you have to be quite strong. Also because of the public, who are absolutely right to pull for Hamilton."

Image source, Reuters