Lewis Hamilton reacts after German Grand Prix enquiry: ‘It’s the most emotional day’

Lewis Hamilton started 14th on the grid but managed to claim victory after a stunning drive with a helping hand from Sebastian Vettel after the German crashed out late on.

The safety car was deployed following Vettel’s race-ending crash on lap 52.

Hamilton was told to pit, then told the team Kimi Raikkonen was pitting in front of him and was told to stay out, which became “in, in, in, in!” as he aborted and cut across the grass to rejoin the track.

The Mercedes driver has been summoned for an ‘alleged breach of Appendix L Chapter IV Article 4 (d) of the FIA International Sporting Code, car 44 crossed the line separating the pit entry and the track.’

LEWIS HAMILTON WINS GERMAN GRAND PRIX

But after the enquiry, it wad decided Hamilton would not lost his victory and instead be issued with a reprimand.

“It’s the most emotional day. Up and down.

“No one ever wants to go and see the stewards, they have the hardest job because every scenario is always different, but this has just been an unbelievable day.

“It was just the most confusing second and a half! I honestly thought I was going to stay out, I was happy with my tyres.

“Then they said come in and I saw Valtteri coming in and I thought ‘are they sure about it?’ By the time I got in they were like ‘no, stay out!’ and it was literally ‘go left, go right’ and I just slowed down and trundled across some grass to make sure I re-joined the track as safe as I could.

“I don’t know if you heard the radio after, but I was like ‘guys, that was the most confusing couple of seconds!’ because they were shouting in my ear ‘no left, no right’ but I think it was still relatively exciting.”

The result means Hamilton now sits 17 points clear of Vettel at the halfway point of the season and the four-time winner credited the elements with helping him secure a vital victory this afternoon.