Fernando Alonso may have qualified his Renault on the pole yesterday but today’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone was Juan Pablo Montoya all the way. Starting from third place thanks to the increased power of his McLaren’s new spec Mercedes engine he had passed Alonso and home favourite Jenson Button by the first corner and from that point on he only gave up the lead briefly during his pit stops. This was his first win — or podium — since joining McLaren at the start of the year and his fifth overall.
Alonso finished a close second having trailed Montoya for most of the race but he could never quite beat him out of the pits and, as current points leader, he had too much to lose to take any serious risks. Montoya, on the other hand, had everything to gain and nothing to lose and he drove a perfect race.
Kimi Raikkonen was third after starting 12th having suffered a 10 grid-position penalty for the second straight week due to having to have his engine changed after it suffered a hydraulic failure yesterday. As he ruefully agreed with Peter Windsor at the post-race press conference, things might have been very different if he had started from the front row where he originally qualified.
Giancarlo Fisichella was fourth but lost an almost certain podium finish when he stalled his Renault as he left his pit after his second stop. This is the second race in a row that he has done this and he cannot be very popular with Flavio Briatore, his team manager, right now.
British favourite Jenson Button was fifth after a strong drive for BAR. Although not especially happy with the result he did the best he could to keep up with the McLarens and Renaults which have been the cars to beat this year.
The Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello never challenged the leaders today but they did both finish in the points without any problems other than their lack of pace. After their years of dominance everyone keeps expecting more from Ferrari but with their current performance — or lack of it — it would take a brave man to bet on them keeping their championship winning streak going.
Ralf Schumacher collected the final point for Toyota after having problems with tyre grip on an unexpectedly hot day in the British midlands.
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juan Pablo Montoya (COL) | McLaren Mercedes | 10 |
| 2 | Fernando Alonso (ESP) | Renault | 8 |
| 3 | Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) | McLaren Mercedes | 6 |
| 4 | Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) | Renault | 5 |
| 5 | Jenson Button (GBR) | BAR Honda | 4 |
| 6 | Michael Schumacher (GER) | Ferrari | 3 |
| 7 | Rubens Barrichello (BRA) | Ferrari | 2 |
| 8 | Ralf Schumacher (GER) | Toyota | 1 |
| Fastest Qualifier: Fernando Alonso (ESP) | |||