Race Notes - Alonso wins British GP

World Champion Fernando Alonso won the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone, in his Renault - taking his third win in a row and fifth win for the season. Second place went to Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari 13.9 seconds behind, Kimi Raikkonen in his McLaren-Mercedes third, 18.6 seconds behind the leader.

The win extends Alonso's lead in the World Championship to 23 points over Schumacher, and 41 points ahead of Raikkonen in third.

Fourth place went to the second Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella, Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari was fifth, Juan Pablo Montoya was sixth in the his McLaren while Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve took the final points paying positions in their Sauber-BMW's.

At the start, Alonso led the field away from pole, while Ralf Schumacher is touched by Scott Speed, spins and was collected by Mark Webber bringing out the safety car and taking all three out of the race. Heidfeld making a great start to jump from ninth to sixth.

At the restart on lap 3, the order at the top remained the same with Alonso leading Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, Massa, Fisichella, Heidfeld Montoya, Barrichello, Rosberg and Villeneuve in tenth.

On lap 9 Button spun and retired with an engine failure.

The order remained the same until lap 18, when Schumacher and Trulli were the first to pit, followed by Raikkonen, Massa and Barrichello on lap 19, Montoya on lap 20, Fisichella on lap 21 - getting out in front of Massa, race leader Alonso on lap 22, Heidfeld from second place, Rosberg and Coulthard on lap 25, and Villeneuve, Liuzzi and Klien on lap 27.

After the first stops Alonso stretched his lead and by half-distance was 12.7 seconds ahead of Raikkonen, Schumacher, Fisichella, Massa, Montoya, Heidfeld, Rosberg, Villeneuve and Barrichello in tenth.

On lap 37 Trulli made his second stop, followed by Schumacher and Klien on lap 41 and Raikkonen on lap 42 - losing second place to Schumacher.

Barrichello pitted on lap 43, Alonso on lap 44, Fisichella, Massa, Montoya, Rosberg and Coulthard on lap 45, Heidfeld on lap 46 and Villenueve on lap 48.

At lap 50, Alonso continued to lead Schumacher by 12.3 seconds with Raikkonen six seconds further back, followed by Fisichella, Massa, Montoya, Heidfeld, Villeneuve, Rosberg and Barrichello in tenth.