World champion Michael Schumacher led home his team mate Rubens Barrichello to complete a Ferrari one-two at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The German completed his seventh victory in 10 races this season to stay firmly on course for a record-equalling fifth world title, which he could clinch at the next race in France.
Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams finished third after starting in pole position, with the BARs of Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis fourth and fifth, and Sauber's Nick Heidfeld in sixth. Schumacher's seventh victory in 10 Grand Prix races this season gives him an incredible 54-point lead over Barrichello with just seven races left and he could be crowned champion in France in a fortnight.
That would give Schumacher the fastest championship in history beating the record set by Britain's Nigel Mansell in 1992 when he clinched the title 11 races into a 16-race season instead of the 17 there is now. Britain's Grand Prix quartet all had a home race they will want to forget as the constantly changing weather wreaked havoc during the pit stops.
David Coulthard was a lowly 10th after making four pit-stops while Jenson Button retired four laps from the finish of the 60-lap race and was classified 12th. Eddie Irvine's eagerly awaited debut of the heavily revised Jaguar Racing R3b ended with him spinning out before the mid-way point in what could be his last home race.
Schumacher, who had started third, was handed the initiative while lying second 14 laps into the race when rain sent the drivers scurrying into the pit-stops for a change of tyres. "I have not had many occasions to enjoy my time at Silverstone so we can enjoy this one. It is the package. We know we have a very good car and a very good tyre especially for the race but today it was purely down to when to put what tyres on," said Schumacher.
"But Ross Brawn did a great job today. Conditions were changing lap by lap and it was quite tricky, but Ross made the right decisions. I am confident going to Magny-Cours but that is a particular circuit where things will be more tight, especially if we have hot conditions which we can expect," added the German.
The 33-year-old needed just two laps to overtake Montoya who drifted wide as he struggled on his Michelin tyres while Schumacher's Bridgestone's seemed to revel in the wet conditions. Giancarlo Fisichella was just out of the points for Jordan, finishing seventh, while team-mate Takuma Sato retired with engine failure after 51 laps.
British Grand Prix – Final Standings:
1st – Michael Schumacher.
2nd – Rubens Barrichello.
3rd – Juan Pablo Montoya.
4th – Jaques Villeneuve,
5th – Oliver Panis.
6th – Nick Heidfeld.
World Drivers Championship Standings:
1st – Michael Schumacher 86 points.
2nd – Rubens Barrichello 32 points.
3rd – Juan Pablo Montoya 31 points.
4th – Ralf Schumacher 30 points.
5th – David Coulthard 26 points.
6th – Kimi Raiddonen 11 points.
World Constructors' Championship Standings:
1st – Ferrari 118 points.
2nd – Williams 61 points.
3rd – McLaren 37 points.
4th – Renault 14 points.
5th – Sauber 10 points.
6th – Jordan 6 points.
Filed by James Shortt
