The Japanese driver's name flashed up on the monitors as being under investigation, before it was confirmed that he would have to serve a drive-thru' for allegedly passing Button in the yellow zone. Although Sato insisted that he had been defending from his former BAR team-mate, the punishment stood, but was never served as the
Super Aguri broke away under Sato in turn four, just after he competed a move on Sutil, leaving him stranded in the gravel. It was not over for the hero of last weekend's Canadian GP, however, for the stewards then decided that the penalty would be carried over the Magny-Cours in a fortnight, where Sato will take a ten-place hit on his grid position.
Alonso and Hamilton exchanged fastest laps shortly before the first round of pit-stops, and it was the Briton who appeared for fuel and tyres first, remaining stationary for 8.7secs before being sent on his way. That allowed Alonso into the lead, but his chance to open out a gap on a lighter fuel load was short-lived as
McLaren summoned him the very next lap.
The world champion was stopped for noticeably less time than his team-mate, but still rejoined marginally behind the #2 McLaren as Kovalainen took over at the front of the field. Any immediate hope Alonso may have had of closing the gap to Hamilton was then dealt a second blow as he found himself bottled up behind former
Renault team-mate
Jarno Trulli, costing him vital seconds as they battled over third and fourth.
Massa had stopped at the same time as Hamilton, with Raikkonen coming two laps after Alonso, but the order remained largely the same, save for those who were considering the option of just one stop should a safety car be necessary. Thus, by lap 30, the order was Hamilton, Alonso, Trulli,
Mark Webber, Massa,
Nico Rosberg, Raikkonen, Heidfeld, Kovalainen - the Finn losing out by dropping behind his fellow countryman - and the recovering Vettel, who had dropped from seventh to eleventh after his grassy first turn moment.
