The gap between the leaders grew from 0.6secs on lap two to jut over a second by lap ten but, thereafter it was Raikkonen running faster, the Finn closing in on Hamilton as the McLaren's tyres began to drop off. Interestingly,
Silverstone produced a rare diversity in tyre choice, with Hamilton and Alonso opting to start on the harder
Bridgestone and
Ferrari on the white-striped soft option.
As the first round of pit-stops neared, Raikkonen homed in on the rear of the
McLaren, looking at one point that he may be able to make his move on track rather than in the pit-lane. One serious look at Brooklands was rebuffed and Kimi settled for what he knew. Hamilton was in next time around, the first of the frontrunners as expected, and Raikkonen duly assumed control of the race.
All of Hamilton's rivals were about to be handed an unexpected bonus, however, the Briton jumping at the turn of his 'lollipop' and having to get back on the brake again while the rest of his fuel was added. Fortunately, there was no repeat of Christijan Albers' error at Magny-Cours, but the mistake - the first of Hamilton's
F1 career - put the home favourite on the back foot.
Sensing his opportunity, Raikkonen promptly banged in the fastest lap of the race to that point before ducking into the pits on lap 18. A smooth stop saw the Finn exit in fourth place as Alonso took over out front, the Ferrari still on softs while Hamilton was again on the harder compound, albeit with a change of pressures to try and counteract the wear problems that affected the final laps of his first stint.
Alonso - and the charging Massa - both ran to lap 20 before making their stops, confirming that their places on the second row were as much fuel-affected as down to pure pace. The Spaniard was switched to the softer Bridgestone and appeared to be at rest for less time than his rivals - a suggestion confirmed as he swept back on track
ahead of Raikkonen.
