Once between the
BMW Saubers, however, the Brazilian was able to up his pace a little and closed onto the rear of Kubica with three laps to run. The Pole was not to be rattled, however, maintaining his pace and line despite scarlet filling his mirrors. The composure paid off as Kubica added another five points to his tally. Massa took a resigned fifth, knowing that his error had compromised any chance he had of chasing a third victory of the year, while the Renaults filled the final points positions - Kovalainen ahead of Fisichella - the first of the lapped runners. The remaining Britons, one-stopping
Jenson Button and two-stopping
David Coulthard, came home 0.6secs apart, but in tenth and eleventh.
The home crowd, however, remained true to its reputation, staying to the chequered flag to cheer home its heroes and accord warm recognition to the victor for another consummate performance. Hamilton still leaves
Silverstone as world championship leader, albeit with a slightly reduced margin over his team-mate after limiting the damage with a ninth podium finish.
It may not have been the result promised by pre-event billing, but the British Grand Prix enlivened the world championship as Raikkonen moved back into third place, one point ahead of his team-mate and just six behind Alonso, promising that the competition remains a four-way battle as the season heads into its second half.
