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| Alonso wins British G.P. |
Fernando Alonso's brilliant drive on the 60th anniversary of Ferrari's maiden Grand Prix win slowed the relentless charge of the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel as British hopes ended ultimately in disappointment.
Both Ferrari and McLaren arrived on Thursday with high hopes that car upgrades and a new rule change would help them reign in the series leader and current world champion Vettel. Lewis Hamilton in a despondent interview after qualifying admitted that none of their changes had worked, whilst Ferarri occupied the second row behind last years winner, Mark Webber (pole) and Vettel.
If the title seems a foregone conclusion, less than halfway through the season, then the future for one of the best drivers Britain has produced in recent years is not. A clause in Hamilton’s contract allowing him to leave should he fail to win the title this season, gives him options. Where they might be, Red Bull and Ferrari currently appear to be currently ahead of the McLaren team he has been part of since the age of eleven, is less clear.
Hamilton did appear pleased with his final position of fourth. Starting on tenth on the grid, but at one point challenging for first, made his afternoon much more productive than his team-mate Jenson Button. A late spat with Felipe Massa almost left the team with no points, coming after Button's pit crew failed to secure a wheel nut during a routine pit stop, ending the 2009 champion's race early. Button who has failed to podium at his home GP in twelve races was understandably disappointed as he took the short walk back to his garage.
Alonso's bid was helped by a pit stop error by the usually excellent Red Bull crew, gifting Alonso the lead that he may well have taken anyway, and was not to relinquish the chance to open the season's account for the 'Tifosi'.
Pole man Webber eventually finished third despite challenging team-mate Vettel hard for second at the end, much to the annoyance of team boss Christian Horner, who urged him to back off, and now sits second overall, albeit some eighty points behind the sensational Vettel.
With the two Brits now nearly four race wins off the pace of the Red Bull, and over 100 points behind in the constructors championship, even a resurgant Ferrari seems unable to halt the inexorable march to Vettel’s second world title.
Both Ferrari and McLaren arrived on Thursday with high hopes that car upgrades and a new rule change would help them reign in the series leader and current world champion Vettel. Lewis Hamilton in a despondent interview after qualifying admitted that none of their changes had worked, whilst Ferarri occupied the second row behind last years winner, Mark Webber (pole) and Vettel.
If the title seems a foregone conclusion, less than halfway through the season, then the future for one of the best drivers Britain has produced in recent years is not. A clause in Hamilton’s contract allowing him to leave should he fail to win the title this season, gives him options. Where they might be, Red Bull and Ferrari currently appear to be currently ahead of the McLaren team he has been part of since the age of eleven, is less clear.
Hamilton did appear pleased with his final position of fourth. Starting on tenth on the grid, but at one point challenging for first, made his afternoon much more productive than his team-mate Jenson Button. A late spat with Felipe Massa almost left the team with no points, coming after Button's pit crew failed to secure a wheel nut during a routine pit stop, ending the 2009 champion's race early. Button who has failed to podium at his home GP in twelve races was understandably disappointed as he took the short walk back to his garage.
Alonso's bid was helped by a pit stop error by the usually excellent Red Bull crew, gifting Alonso the lead that he may well have taken anyway, and was not to relinquish the chance to open the season's account for the 'Tifosi'.
Pole man Webber eventually finished third despite challenging team-mate Vettel hard for second at the end, much to the annoyance of team boss Christian Horner, who urged him to back off, and now sits second overall, albeit some eighty points behind the sensational Vettel.
With the two Brits now nearly four race wins off the pace of the Red Bull, and over 100 points behind in the constructors championship, even a resurgant Ferrari seems unable to halt the inexorable march to Vettel’s second world title.
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