Hamilton heads home from Hockenheim with gift-wrapped two points

Lewis Hamilton was cancelling all engagements and planning to fly home and rest late Sunday night when he was handed a gift-wrapped ninth place and two precious points after a tumultuous German Grand Prix.

The 30-second penalties given to Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, more than five hours after the race, for data irregularities in their cars' starting systems cost them seventh and eighth places respectively.

They were relegated out of the top 10 as Mercedes' defending five-time champion rose from 11th to ninth and Robert Kubica was lifted to 10th, thereby scoring the struggling Williams team's first point this year.

The Alfa Romeo team said they would appeal the stewards' decision, meaning that the final result will remain provisional pending the outcome of that action.

"We suffered a dysfunction of the clutch that was beyond our control and we will further investigate the issue," said team chief Frederic Vasseur.

"We respect the FIA's process and the stewards' work, but will appeal this decision."
- 'Thanks dad' -
================
"And, of course, experience in life. In Formula One! I think if you do over 90 races, you have experienced a lot already and you can make better decisions."
"We had to stay very focused, we couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Now, after the race, I think I can say that I did that 360 for the crowd, but it was tricky!
"The communication between myself and the team was crucial and I think we made the right calls. That gave us the victory."
- Snakes and Ladders -
======================
"He did the most to get himself in an ok place to race -- and I think many of us would have not considered being in a racing car. But he did."
"So I'm going home. I will probably sleep the next few days and try and get over this bug."