Lewis Hamilton rocked Silverstone to its roots and sent 90,000 fans into a frenzy with a glorious British Grand Prix victory.
The McLaren star, who had failed to score a point in his last two races, had his legion of supporters singing in the rain at the end of a chaos-strewn event as wet weather sent his rivals into a spin.
Hamilton finished an astonishing 68.5 seconds clear of BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld come the conclusion of the 60-lap encounter, with a remarkable Rubens Barrichello third in his Honda, on the podium for the first time in three years.
The 23-year-old is now level on points with Felipe Massa, who could only manage 13th, and reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who was fourth in his Ferrari.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis hailed Hamilton's "disciplined" drive. "We had to really, really keep the pace down," Dennis said on ITV1. "He could have gone much quicker and the last 15 laps he was complaining at having to drive too slowly.
"It's very easy to make mistakes in those conditions."
Hamilton joins a list of illustrious British names to win his home race, including Sterling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and David Coulthard, who was the last to triumph in 2000.
"It is by far the best victory I've ever had," smiled Hamilton. "The conditions were bad and as I was driving I thought, 'If I win this, it will be the best race I've ever done'.
"I want to dedicate this to my family because we all know I've had some troubles of late, so this is for them."
"This morning, I wasn't feeling great," added Hamilton, who becomes the first Englishman to win the British Grand Prix since Johnny Herbert in 1995.
"It wasn't until I got to the track and I saw family, friends and fans, and I started to get energy, so I have to say thanks to all of them."
In contrast, Coulthard's final British race was one to forget.
The Scot, who announced on Thursday he is to retire at the end of the season, attempted to pass the Toro Rosso of Sebastian Vettel, only to clip the German, sending them into the gravel where they remained beached.
"I'm truly disappointed," said Coulthard. "I'm sorry for the team. I went for a gap and didn't make the move, coming together with Sebastian, so taking out two Red Bulls.
"In a race like that you have to take your opportunities when they come, but unfortunately it was a bad decision."