The first two almost came to blows on lap 60 when Trulli appeared to edge Webber onto the grass in the infield, prompting the Australian to try a slightly optimistic lunge into turn one next time around. Following Wurz's earlier cue, the
Red Bull driver found himself on too shallow an entry, bouncing across the inside kerb before spearing across the
Toyota's bows and on through the grass, rejoining back where he started, slightly chastened and settling for a point.
Webber's mood was only lightened a handful of laps later, when former team-mate Rosberg was forced to park his Williams-Toyota with engine failure, elevating the battle to one for sixth - and handing debutant Vettel a point with which to mark his substitute role. Liuzzi then competed the comparatively short list of retirees, the Toro Rosso quitting under him with five laps to run.
By the time the combatants returned to
parc ferme to begin their discussions, Hamilton and Alonso were already out of the cars and swigging mineral water in an attempt to offset the effects of one of the hottest races of the year. The Briton, however, appeared cooler than his rival, just as he had on track.
Two wins on tracks unfamiliar to him have set Hamilton up nicely for the return to Europe, his ten-point advantage all but ensuring that he goes home to
Silverstone in three weeks on top of the standings, regardless of what happens in France the week before. Propelled by hype to this point, the Hamilton steamroller may just be about to take on a life of its own....
