As the drivers' reflected on the dangers of Pirelli's succession of tire failures in the aftermath of the race, and the controversy that followed Mercedes' 'secret' test with Pirelli last month in Spain, the FIA's president, Frenchman Jean Todt, held emergency meetings with the Italian suppliers.

Rosberg had words of consolation for Hamilton.

"With Lewis, I feel sorry for all the British fans," said the German, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday.

"It would have been great for Lewis. It's always a massive disappointment, but that's racing. Sebastian (Vettel) stopped, I won't lie, I wasn't disappointed by that one. From then on, it was just a great race."

Rosberg survived huge late pressure from retirement-bound Australian Mark Webber of Red Bull to claim his second win of the season.

It was Mercedes' first victory in Britain since Stirling Moss won in 1955 at Aintree and Rosberg's second in three races and third of his career.

Rosberg, who won earlier in the season in Monaco, said it was a wonderful moment for him to win a race his Finnish father, 1982 world champion Keke, never won.

"This is a very special day for our team in our home race," he said.

"We are progressing all the time so it's a very special day for me and the team today."

Webber, who had won this race twice, said he felt happy but also frustrated at just falling short.

"It was frustrating, but the boys did a great job," said the 37-year-old.

"There were a lot of issues with the tires and we were lucky and it was a clean race for us."