Gritty Rosberg ends Mercedes' 68-year British GP drought

Silverstone (AFP): Nico Rosberg survived great late pressure to claim his second win of the season in Sunday's thrilling and dramatic British Grand Prix. It was the Mercedes team's first victory in Britain since Stirling Moss won in 1955 and Rosberg's second in three races and third of his career and came just three days after he celebrated his 28th birthday. But the race was overshadowed by a dangerous spate of Pirelli tyre failures, including one that blew home hero Briton Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a home win in the other Mercedes car as he led from pole position. However, the 2008 world champion produced a remarkable drive to storm from last place - which is where he was when he resumed his race - to finish fourth. In all, four drivers were hit by tyre blowouts while championship leading defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire his Red Bull for the first time this year after inheriting the lead. Hamilton's tyre explosion was followed by others for Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso and Mexican Sergio Perez of McLaren in a contest that saw two Safety Car interventions. Australian Mark Webber, who fell to 15th on the opening lap, fought back to finish second for Red Bull ahead of Spain's two-time champion Fernando Alonso in the second Ferrari.

Top 10 finish for Force India Adrian Sutil finished seventh after being in contention for a podium finish even as Paul Di Resta fought his way to ninth after starting last on the grid. Sutil was running third after beginning the race from sixth position but lost his way in the last six laps as Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton all passed him.