Alonso wins F1 British GP for Ferrari
Updated: 2011-07-11 16:00
(Agencies)
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Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (C) of Spain is sprayed with champagne by second-placed Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany and and third-placed Mark Webber of Australia after winning the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, central England, July 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
* Ferrari celebrate on 60th anniversary of first GP win
SILVERSTONE, England - Fernando Alonso won the British Grand Prix on Sunday for Ferrari's first victory of the season at the same circuit where 60 years ago they had enjoyed their first success in Formula One.
The win, gifted to the Spaniard by Red Bull after world champion Sebastian Vettel's hopes were scuppered by a wheelnut problem at his second pitstop, was the 27th of Alonso's career and lifted him level with the great Jackie Stewart in fifth position in the all-time lists.
Vettel finished second, denied his seventh win in nine races but still on the podium for the 11th time in a row and with his overall lead extended from 77 to 80 points.
It was Ferrari's 216th win since that first with Argentina's 'Pampas Bull' Jose Froilan Gonzalez on July 14, 1951, and their first since last October, when Alonso won in South Korea.
Alonso had driven Gonzalez's historic Ferrari around the circuit for two laps before the race and the old magic crossed the generations.
"Now 60 years later in the same circuit, with the same atmosphere and the same passion, winning again in a red car. I'm very proud...it made a special day," said the double world champion.
"Every grand prix is special but winning in historic places, and in this fantastic circuit like Silverstone and the tradition in England with the culture of Formula One, is even more special."
Vettel now has 204 points to teammate Mark Webber's 124 and Alonso's 112 with 10 races remaining.
Australian Webber, who had started on pole position, finished third after trying hard to pass his team mate on the penultimate lap while turning a deaf ear to repeated radio orders to maintain position.
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Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain drives his car to win the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, central England July 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
So-called 'team orders' have been declared legal this season, but both Red Bull drivers still faced angry questions afterwards about the situation.
Asked whether he had agreed with the team's call, Webber said: "I'm not fine with it, no.
"If Fernando retires on the last lap, we are battling for victory. So I was fighting to the end. Of course I ignored the team because I want to try and get another place. Seb was doing his best, I was doing my best."