David Coulthard: "This means more to me than anything else"

Eddie Irvine finished second in his Ferrari and Williams' Ralf Schumacher secured third.

Home success thrilled fans in a 100,000 crowd on a glorious afternoon.

But the race was marred when Michael Schumacher broke his right leg on the aborted first lap, ruling him out of at least the next three races.

The German was airlifted to Northampton General Hospital for an operation after his Ferrari skidded off the track on a bend at more than 150mph and thumped into a safety barrier.

David Wilson, the hospital's chief executive, said: "The operation was successful and he is now recovering on the ward. We expect to keep him in overnight."

Hill leaves the pits on his way to points

The incident overshadowed a race in which Damon Hill finished fifth - but would give no more clues about his retirement date. "We're going to have a few beers and think about it," he said.

After the race, Coulthard said: "I feel absolutely fantastic.

"When I realised the team got me out in front of Eddie I knew I could win.

"It was more nerve-wracking than at any time in my career because it has been such a long time without a win.

"This is definitely the best feeling I have had in my career. This is the one race win I would always trade for any other win."

The Scot in a McLaren took his chance after a mid-race reshuffle which saw race leader Mika Hakkinen moving into the pits, allowing Irvine to take the lead for the first time.

But the Finn developed a mechanical problem, and soon after emerging from the pits was overtaken by his team-mate.

David Coulthard secures victory on BBC Radio 5 Live

Coulthard then snatched the lead as Irvine made his stop for fresh fuel and rubber, powering down the home straight just as his Ferrari rival was emerging onto the track.

Hakkinen, for once experiencing the mechanical problems that have blighted his Scottish team-mate's season, had to go into the pits again for a 28-second stop and dropped to 11th.

Hakkinen's race effectively ended minutes later when his left rear wheel suddenly flew off.

Mike Hakkinen: Forced to retire

The tyre bounced along the gravel and rebounded onto the circuit, almost hitting several cars who had to swerve to avoid being hit.

Hakkinen went into the pits on three wheels to have a new tyre fitted but emerged this time back in 17th spot.

Officials were forced to deploy the safety car again when Jacques Villeneuve's race ended as he parked his British American Racing car along the home straight.

That allowed Irvine to close right up on Coulthard as Hakkinen was forced to make another charge from the back of the field.

Hakkinen's race finally came to an end of lap 37 when he was forced to retire.

Despite not finishing the race, Hakkinen retains the season points total lead with 40, followed by Schumacher with 32.

Irvine moves up to 32 points with Frentzen on 26 and Coulthard moving into fifth place with 22 points.

Ralf Schumacher has 19 in sixth place and now a real chance to overtake his brother, who looks sure to miss the next few races.

Schumacher injured

Schumacher's crash came as the red flag appeared after two cars stalled off the starting line.

Formula One doctor Sidney Watkins discusses Michael Schumacher's injury

That delayed the race's beginning by about 30 minutes as Schumacher, who got out of the car on his own, was placed on a stretcher and taken by helicopter to hospital.

The front end of his Ferrari folded up severely as it hit a three-layer deep tire barrier - a recent addition at Silverstone and one of several changes at the track to improve safety.

Results

Starting position in brackets, followed by driver, home country, make of car and laps completed.