Sunday, July 6, 2008

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the FIA Formula-1 2008 Santander British Grand Prix on the Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, England. It became the first home win in the 23 year old Briton’s career in F1. Last year, he finished in third place after his former teammate Fernando Alonso. In this race Alonso finished on a 6th place in his Renault car, one lap after the winner. The last British winner here was David Coulthard in 2000 driving for McLaren.

Hamilton was active from the start, rushing from 4th to the second place behind his teammate and a pole-sitter Heikki Kovalainen. Heikki couldn’t held Lewis behind and let him pass on a starting laps of the race. From this time Hamilton was in full control of the race.

As the rainy race went on a wet track it seemed that only Hamilton had no problems at all – swinging around became the most common mistake.

Mark Webber, who took the first front raw start for Red Bull in F1 history spinned on the starting laps and found himself last.

Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) and Rubens Barrichello (Honda) finished in more then a minute behind Hamilton, taking second and third podium places. All the other drivers lose more than a lap.

Two Finns Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) and Heikki Kovalainen managed to pass Alonso on the dying laps of the race and gained one place. The Spaniard came 6th for Renault, same place as he took the start from.

Kazuki Nakajima (Williams) could not held behind Jarno Trulli (Toyota) who passed him at the near end, Kaz finishing in front of his teammate Nico Rosberg scoring 1 point.

In the Drivers’ championship standings Hamilton, Massa and Räikkönen now own the equal 48 points with Kubica 2 points behind. Constructors’ is still headed by Ferrari chalked up 96 points total, 14 ahead of BMW and 24 ahead McLaren.