Alonso takes Silverstone win

Fernando Alonso took his and Ferrari’s first victory of the season, on Sunday afternoon, when he won the British Grand Prix ahead of both Red Bulls.

The Spaniard showed a great pace around Silverstone but was helped to the win by a problem at Vettel’s second pit stop. The German had been leading until then but lost a valuable time both in the pits and on track as he was held up by McLaren’s Hamilton.

Second was still an excellent result for the German, championship-wise. Mark Webber made it a double podium for RBR which further increased its lead in the constructors’ standings.

It was really close between the two Red Bull drivers at the end and Vettel had to defend hard to keep the Australian at bay.

Hamilton held on to 4th place despite a late charge from Massa… and a contact with the Brazilian’s Ferrari in the final lap.

How the race unfolded :

The track was wet when the cars left the pits to take their grid spots. These tricky conditions caught out Sergio Pérez on his out lap and he had to get back in the pits for some repairs on his front wing.

When it came to tyre choice, there was some head scratching as the track was really wet in places. Intermediate tyres proved the most popular option to start the race with.

Sebastian Vettel took a great start from 2nd on the grid and led the field down the first corner. Polesitter Mark Webber slotted behind his teammate and held off the assaults of Fernando Alonso in the opening lap.

Lewis Hamilton had a great first couple of laps and was up in 5th place at the end of lap 2.

Free of any spray, Vettel set a good pace at the front and was, at times, one second a lap faster than his rivals. Hamilton had a go at Massa for fourth place on lap 4 but ran wide in the gravel. He safely rejoined in fifth place.

On lap 8, Alonso closed in on Webber but couldn’t find a way past. In the meantime, his teammate Massa became embroiled in a battle for 4th place with a charging Hamilton.

On lap 10, Michael Schumacher had to pit after making contact with Kobayashi’s Sauber. He got a new front wing and a set a slick tyres. Kobayashi was sent into a spin in the process.

Button, Sutil, Kobayashi and Maldonado pitted on the following lap. They all switched to slick tyres as Schumacher set a new fastest lap. Hamilton tried a move on Massa but couldn’t make it stick.

Webber, Alonso and Hamilton stopped on lap 13 while Vettel stayed out on the inters for another lap. He then pitted, so did Massa. The Red Bull driver rejoined in the lead. He was ahead of his teammate Webber. Alonso was still third with Hamilton fourth and Button fifth.

On lap 16, Hamilton passed Alonso for third place. Hamilton was flying at this stage and managed to slightly pull away from Alonso. He couldn’t quite close the gap to the Red Bulls though as they reacted to his hot pace. It was then Alonso’s turn to turn the heat up. He set a string of fastest laps to close in on Hamilton. On lap 23, the top four was covered by 7.7s.

Alonso overtook Hamilton next time round and set out to catch Webber. Hamilton stopped in this same lap, taking on another set of soft tyres. Halfway through the race Ferrari’s Alonso was the quickest man on track.

Webber, Button and Massa stopped on lap 27… as Toro Rosso’s Buemi was limping around the track with a rear left puncture – replays showed it was caused by a collision with a Force India.

Vettel and Alonso came in in the next lap. A problem on the Red Bull driver’s car meant he rejoined behind both Alonso and Hamilton. The German was less than three seconds off the lead and ready to push hard to regain the places lost through no fault of his own. He was told by his engineer to be patient but couldn’t help but worry about the quick pace Alonso set at the front… while he was stuck behind Hamilton’s McLaren.

On lap 35, Alonso had a 10s lead over Hamilton and Vettel. Clearly held up by Hamilton, Vettel pitted on lap 37. He rejoined in sixth place. McLaren responded to Red Bull’s strategy in pitting Hamilton on lap 38… it was not enough though and the Briton rejoined behind Vettel.

Webber stopped on lap 39 as his teammate set a new fastest lap in an effort to close the gap to Alonso. The Spaniard pitted from the lead at the end of lap 39. Button followed suit but rejoined the track with a loose right front wheel and he had to park his McLaren.

There was no such drama for Alonso who safely rejoined in the lead, 10s ahead of Vettel. Hamilton was up in third with Massa fourth and Webber fifth. Massa stopped on lap 42, promoting Webber to fourth.

Hamilton was looking to mount a charge for P2 but was told by his team to conserve fuel to make it to the end of the race. This was good news for RBR whose Vettel didn’t have to worry too much about the McLaren behind him… and whose Webber could chase the Briton for P3.

In the lead, Alonso just had to cruise to the finish as Vettel showed no intention of attacking his healthy lead.

On lap 45, Webber was all over the rear wheels of Hamilton. He sailed past the McLaren on the next lap. The Australian was extremely quick in the closing part of the season and made a move on Vettel in the penultimate lap. The German defended well to cross the finish line 0.4s ahead of Webber.

Hamilton fended off Massa for 4th, not without making contact in the final chicane.

Rosberg finished 6th. Pérez, Heidfeld, Schumacher and Alguersuari completed the top ten.

Five cars retired: Button, Buemi, Kobayashi, Trulli and Kovalainen.