Hamilton withstood a challenge from Verstappen as the pair threaded their way through some
backmarkers.
His start was then flawless, and even the squabbling
backmarkers of Sergey Sirotkin and Romain Grosjean did not put Hamilton off his stride.
But, unflustered, Hamilton defended from the Dutchman before seeing off the
backmarkers, too.
Unfortunately, though, the Team Parker Racing entry was forced out of podium contention early in the second half of the three-hour race when it was pitched off the circuit, while running among
backmarkers, and the resulting trip across the grass caused race-ending damage.
Stockton teenager Jak Liddle qualified ninth on the first day but was boxed in on both starts and struggled to get past
backmarkers.
JENSON BUTTON has blasted
backmarkers Caterham - and told them to wise up for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix after costing McLaren "millions" in Germany.
The car was the Marussia of Frenchman Jules Bianchi who had jumped out when the
backmarkers' machine had suffered an engine failure.
It was the first time the 51-year-old (pictured left) had dipped under nine minutes, which was quite astonishing as he had to weave his way through the
backmarkers for more than half the race.
These pilots could only snatch championship honours if both Rene Rast and Kevin Estre finish amongst the
backmarkers.
FOTA last season represented 11 of the 12 teams on the F1 grid -
backmarkers Hispania Racing are currently the only team not allied with the organisation - and has long been gripped by internal rows over the implementation of the RRA.
Vettel, though, was untroubled until the closing stages as Button cut the gap by six seconds in just five laps to get within 3.7 seconds with three laps to go, but was hampered by
backmarkers after Michael Schumacher's accident brought out the safety car.