Starting from pole position, Hamilton's former karting team-mate stormed into the lead and through to his maiden grand prix victory while behind him excitement ensued as two-stopping cars got in the mix with three-stoppers.

"We knew Nico would be really quick, and we knew if he got away it would be hard to catch him as it proved," Hamilton said.

"First pole and first win is always special so congratulations."

Hamilton was in the thick of the action throughout as, starting seventh following his grid penalty, he worked his way up only to fall back after the second round of pit-stops.

With drivers racing nose-to-tail and Pirelli's tyres offering one of the best finishes seen in recent years, Hamilton went from eight to third in the final 10 laps.

"I'm happy to be on the podium after starting seventh, the strategy was good - it was one of the best races of the season," said the McLaren driver.

"There was a trail of cars behind me at the end, but overall it was a fantastic day."

It was the Briton's third consecutive appearance on the bottom step of the podium this season yet was still enough to move him to the top of the Drivers' Championship with 45 points, two ahead of his team-mate Jenson Button.

Hamilton, though, still has eyes on a first 2012 victory soon.

"We will keep pushing on to get some better results," he added.

"It's a positive to have the consistency and if I can keep working as hard as I am then I am sure the wins will come."