Results of the 2009 British F1 Grand Prix.

The script could not have been better written for Red Bull Racing who stormed home to an impressive one-two at their home circuit. In a notably improved car, Sebastian Vettel dominated from pole to finish 15 seconds ahead of teammate Mark Webber.

Arch rivals, Brawn GP, struggled on this track as Rubens Barrichello finished third and title leader Jenson Button came home sixth. Button languished in eight for most the race but a typically tactical Brawn pit stop catapulted him to sixth and he pushed hard to finish within a second of Nico Rosberg, and Fourth placed Felipe Massa. It was Ferrari’s best result to date.

The last of the points went to Jarno Trulli in the Toyota and the other Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen. Lewis Hamilton by contrast continues to disappoint in an uncompetitive car and finished 16th, just behind former title contenders Nick Heidfeld, Fernando Alonso and Robert Kubica.

With no rain, and only two retirements caused by a collision between Sebastien Bourdais and Heikki Kovailanan, cameras were fixed on the mid race battles and defensive racing between former champions at the tale end. The biggest winner on the day was Massa, who had a storming start and eventually finished 7 places up on his grid position.

Barichello held onto second until losing the place to Webber during a lengthy first pit stop. A flying second stop prevent him from losing further to Massa. Ferrari will be pleased with the improved performance that saw both cars finish in the points. Their challenge for the title is however effectively over.

But it was the ease which the Red Bulls dominated that was the biggest surprise, and victory for rising star Vettel, puts him within two points of Barrichello as he chases down a 25 point lead that Button holds. Despite their strong showing, RBR still have a 30 point margin to overhaul if they are displace Brawn’s early dominance in the 2009 season.

Official results

  1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:22:49.328
  2. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:23:04.516
  3. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:23:30.483
  4. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:23:34.371
  5. Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota, 1:23:35.243
  6. Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:23:35.613
  7. Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 1:23:57.635
  8. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:23:58.950
  9. Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:23:59.151
  10. Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes, 1:24:00.850
  11. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota, 1:24:03.351
  12. Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault, lapped
  13. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, lapped
  14. Fernando Alonso, Renault, lapped
  15. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, lapped
  16. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, lapped
  17. Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, lapped
  18. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, lapped

RET Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, retired, 37 laps
RET Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes, retired, 36 laps