Precious Vettel

Sebastian Vettel drove a masterclass at Silverstone to win the British Grand Prix. It was the 21 year-old's first victory in dry weather conditions and may have been enough to kick-start a real title battle.

Championship leader Jenson Button qualified sixth and made a poor start, which pushed him down to ninth through the first corner. He fought his way back up to finish with three points. Overall, his Brawn car struggled for grip with a low track temperature of 26 degrees. "On the soft tyre we were quick, but on the hard it was very difficult," said Button, the focus of Silverstone's 100,000-strong crowd. "My poor start really cost me as overtaking here is tricky. Vettel gained seven points on me, which isn't good. We need to hope the Nurburgring is hotter than here."

In the first stint of the race, Vettel lapped a massive second-per-lap quicker than second placed Rubens Barrichello. Come the first pit stops, Vettel's team mate Mark Webber leapfrogged the Brazilian and gave Red Bull their second one-two finish of the year. Barrichello was pleased with his third place, believing it was the best result he could have hoped for. Ferrari's Felipe Massa, too, exceeded expectations by racing from 11^th on the grid to fourth. The scuderia called a terrific strategy.

Last year's winner, Lewis Hamilton, took to the grass several times, had a huge scrap with Fernando Alonso, and finally finished in 16^th.

It was a perfect race for Vettel, who saw his lead reduced as he lapped cars - something he described as "a slalom" - but still crossed the line 18 seconds ahead of Webber.

Silverstone hosted the first ever round of the F1 world championship in 1950, and 2009 promised to be its last event. However, there is renewed optimism that the track may return after Bernie Ecclestone disclosed that if the Donington circuit isn't ready by next summer the race will be back at Silverstone. It's certainly a favourite of the drivers.

"Thank you Silverstone," gushed Vettel. "The crowds were all on their feet on the last lap - the atmosphere was incredible. I used to watch races here in the era of Mansell and Senna, so to win here for me is a dream fulfilled."

RACE RESULTS

1. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault
2. Mark Webber - Red Bull-Renault
3. Rubens Barrichello - Brawn-Mercedes
4. Felipe Massa - Ferrari
5. Nico Rosberg - Williams-Toyota
6. Jenson Button - Brawn-Mercedes
7. Jarno Trulli - Toyota
8. Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari
9. Timo Glock - Toyota
10. Giancarlo Fisichella - Force India-Mercedes
11. Kazuki Nakajima - Williams-Toyota
12. Nelson Piquet - Renault
13. Robert Kubica - BMW-Sauber
14. Fernando Alonso - Renault
15. ]Nick Heidfeld - BMW-Sauber
16. Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes
17. ]Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes
18. Sebastien Buemi - Toro Rosso-Ferrari

DNF      Sebastien Bourdais - Toro Rosso-Ferrari

DNF      Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren-Mercedes

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Button - 64
2. Barrichello - 41
3. Vettel - 39
4. Webber - 35.5
5. Trulli - 21.5
6. Massa - 16
7. Rosberg - 15.5
8. Glock - 13
9. Alonso - 11
10. Raikkonen - 10
11. Hamilton - 9
12. Heidfeld - 6
13. Kovalainen - 4
14. Buemi - 3
15. Kubica - 2
16. Bourdais - 2

CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Brawn GP - 105
2. Red Bull Racing - 74.5
3. Toyota - 34.5
4. Ferrari - 26
5. Williams - 15.5
6. McLaren - 13
7. Renault - 11
8. BMW-Sauber - 8
9. Toro Rosso - 5