Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso claimed the British Grand Prix, leaving behind season leader Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.
Vettel took the lead into the first corner after passing Webber, who won the pole position, at the start of the race at the “Home of British Motor Racing” in Silverstone.
Despite the wet circuit, the Red Bull duo quickly created a safe distance between themselves and main group of cars, and seemed in control – much like in most of the previous races this season.
But the second wave of pit stops turned everything upside down, as the Red Bull mechanics experienced unexpected delays while replacing tires for both of their drivers.
This allowed Ferrari’s Fernado Alonso and home favorite Lewis Hamilton of McLaren to go in front.
Both Vettel and Webber managed to overtake the British driver, who was forced to conserve fuel, but could do nothing about Alonso’s pace.
The Spanish driver brought Ferrari its first win in 2011, besting second-place Vettel by more than 16 seconds.
“Today it is 60 years since Ferrari won its first Grand Prix in Formula One,” Alonso was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “And today we won on the same circuit with the same passion.”
Russia’s Vitaly Petrov didn’t have the best of races on Sunday. The Lotus Renault driver started in 14th place and only managed to move up two spots.
Vettel enjoys a commanding lead in the season standings. The German is 80 points ahead of Webber and 92 points ahead of Alonso, who climbed to third thanks to his British triumph.