Lewis Hamilton can use his stunning victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone as the launchpad for a successful challenge for the world title, says Sir Jackie Stewart.

The Formula One legend watched the McLaren star return the drive of his life to claim a race made treacherous by torrential rain. Stewart said: "What we saw was a masterful drive. He really behaved himself beautifully. The outstanding talent this young man has was fully demonstrated, because you couldn't get conditions any more difficult than that. What more could you ask from a driver than what Lewis did at Silverstone?

"It's perfectly feasible now for Lewis to win the world championship. His McLaren team have got the resources to do it, they've got the technology to do it, and they've got the driver to do it.

"Now they've got to keep giving Lewis a reliable car, and he's got to keep finishing in the points."

Hamilton's third win of the season takes the Briton into a share of the championship lead with reigning title holder Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, the two Ferrari drivers who were among many to spin on a track that was sometimes awash with water.

Stewart, the three-times world champion who won two British Grands Prix, insisted: "This was one of the best Silverstone wins I've seen because of the conditions which were constantly changing.

"Just one little slip could have taken Lewis off the track, as it did for so many other drivers. So for him to keep it all together made it a top-class win."