Silverstone Prediction

Just like Saturday, Silverstone is warm and sunny on race day, quite a few of the spectators in the public enclosures are sporting pink shoulders in the classic British tradition. On the grid, Alonso is on pole next to Michael. Fernando's looking confident, as though he's carrying lots of fuel. Kimi and Fisico are on the second row with Rubens lining up fifth. Apparently there's not much need to brake for much of the circuit and so the car is much easier to drive for him. Jenson though, could only manage ninth, behind JPM, Webber and Massa.

At the start, the leaders get away in grid order, although Michael does try to squeeze Kimi onto the grass. Kimi doesn't lift but Michael's line means he has better exit speed onto Hangar straight. But by now the race has already been red flagged. Rosberg had a mega start from close to the back of the grid after his qualifying problems and was over optimistic at Stowe, taking out Klien, both STRs MF1s and the Aguris. Wreckage all over the place!

At the restart, Kimi does get the drop on Michael, So it's Fernando,Kimi,Michael,Rubens, Fisico, Webber. Rubens is clearly flying and coming out of Club he's hassling Michael. At Abbey he's alongside and Michael has to take to the grass, victim of his own tactics. Webber is doing the same to Fisi, and the Italian is blocked by Michael, but Webber manages to get through by bridge. What an amazing first lap!

After that things begin to settle. Alonso is smooth and doesn't seem to be trying to pull out too much over Kimi. Rubens catches and pressurising Kimi, but to no avail. After 16 laps, Rubens is in, but manages to get out ahead of the Coulthard and the BMWs, there's not many cars left at the back end of the race. A few laps later Kimi is in, then a couple of laps later the leading Renault stops, rejoining in the lead apparently having taken more fuel than the McLaren. It's looking good for Renault.

Fisi has a minor problem in the pits, his stop was a dreadful 16.782 seconds! He's still eight, but behind JPM and Button. Schuey managed to get back out in front of Webber at the first stop, although the Australian is still looking quick.

The second round of stops come and go without change, meaning that Alonso's championship lead grows a little bit more. It definitely looks like a McLaren will be carrying the number one next year.