Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's motor racing. The race happens on Sunday and not on Saturday. All the bad luck we had came back to us in tremendous good luck."

On the team orders to Valtteri Bottas not to challenge Lewis Hamilton: "It's two things. We didn't have the quickest car and we need to prepare for the next races.

"It was still raining at the time and the fight was so intense. With the bad luck we had, we didn't want to take chances."

The race has finished and the heavens opened. We could have done with this rain with about four laps to go.

Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third, on his own team orders after having to move over and let Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel through: "I think we have certain rules but it wasn't clear enough. It was a moment in the race where I needed to stop.

"It didn't really change an awful lot in the end. It was a tricky race. I had a problem with one of the lappers, the Sauber. It was a tricky race but we try next time."

On how the Ferrari car reacted in the rain: "I don't know. I only drive my car. In the past, it's been difficult in the rain and I was surprised with how the grip reacted."

Ferrari were holding a one-two for a lot of this race, but have to settle for a third and a DNF. Let's hear from Raikkonen, who took that third place.

All credit to Valtteri Bottas for not making those team orders an issue, when he could have easily have said something stronger than that.

He agreed a new deal earlier this week to commit his future to Mercedes for another year, with an option for another year after that.

But, if there was any doubt in his mind, Hamilton is very much the number one at Mercedes. The Finn may be absolutely livid inside though.

And this was the moment when Valtteri Bottas was told to not overtake Lewis Hamilton.

Valtteri Bottas, who came second, but was denied a chance to go for the win as he was told to stay behind Lewis Hamilton, says: "As a driver a win is what we are after, when Seb went off I think there was a good chance.

"Taking positives, as a team it is a perfect result for us.

"We had a bit of a battle lap one after the safety car, I didn't get past and I got told to minimise the risk but I understand."

Race winner Lewis Hamilton: "It's obviously very difficult from that position and highly unlikely but you've got to believe. I did a long prayer before the race. I wanted to stay collected, stay calm. The team did such a great job today. I kept believing and it happened so I manifested my dream today. A big, big thanks to God.

"Conditions were perfect for business time. When it rained, I knew I would have a good position.

"You never knew what was going to happen after the safety car. I hope this solidifies their belief in me, and I hope this solidified my belief in them. For those who didn't know me before, now you do."

Image source, Reuters

Jennie Gow
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra pit-lane reporter

It doesn't matter who gets that pole position this year, does it? Look what happened at Silverstone when Hamilton got pole.

Yesterday, the German crowd went wild when Vettel got pole, but he couldn't convert it. This is a big championship moment. It's a big championship year. This is fantastic.

Simon Baker‏: Well, Vettel won at Silverstone and now Hamilton has won at Hockenheim, fair enough I suppose.

Kayleigh‍: Bono "Miracles do happens mate...." Team orders, Bono, not miracles.

Rene Frolov: This can't be happening. This can't be happening! After all the the Mercedes car has put Valtteri Bottas through and all the bad lack he's had in 2018, now THIS - he can't race for the win. Next what? He's told the contract extension was a "joke"?

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Hamilton deserved this win. He drove like a genius in those slippery conditions.

Mercedes: "Get in there, Lewis. Miracles do happen mate."

Lewis Hamilton: "What an amazing job by you guys. Love conquers all."

Image source, Formula 1 Twitter

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
6. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
7. Sergio Perez (Force India)
8. Esteban Ocon (Force India)
9. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
10. Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
11. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
12. Carlos Sainz (Renault)
13. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
14. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
15. Charles Leclerc (McLaren)

Did not finish: Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Lance Stroll (Williams), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Sergey Sirotkin (Williams) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull).

• Lewis Hamilton wins German Grand Prix to go 17 points clear of Sebastian Vettel in the championship race
• Hamilton held off Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas after the Finn was ordered to hold position
• Vettel crashes out on Lap 52, causing safety car to be called out
• Vettel had led after team-mate Kimi Raikkonen – who pitted much earlier – was ordered by Ferrari to let him through
• Rain causes drivers to struggle
• Daniel Ricciardo retired on Lap 28 after reporting loss of power
• Vettel started on pole, Hamilton in 14th after hydraulics failure in Q1, Ricciardo and Gasly started at back of grid with power unit penalties

Superb!

Hamilton wins in Germany, after starting in 14th position. What a performance. What a drive. Mercedes get the strategy spot on as Valtteri Bottas makes it a Mercedes one-two, with Kimi Raikkonen third.

Image source, Getty Images

We are heading for a Mercedes one-two. Who would've predicted that at the start?

Image source, EPA

Hamilton starts the last lap in the lead.

"Rain for the last lap," is the message Hamilton is told.

Image source, Getty Images