Schumacher closing on fifth world title
Alan Baldwin
Michael Schumacher was closing on a record-equalling fifth Formula One world title on Sunday after celebrating another Ferrari one-two at the British Grand Prix.
The German led his Brazilian team-mate Rubens Barrichello across the line by 14.5 seconds on an afternoon of sun and showers at Silverstone for his 60th career triumph and seventh victory in 10 races this year.
It was Ferrari's fourth one-two finish of the year and Schumacher could secure the title in record time at the French Grand Prix in two weeks' time.
Failing that, he looks certain to be crowned before his own adoring fans at Hockenheim on July 28.
"I am delighted because it was a very special race today," the German said. "It was all or nothing at various moments.
"It is number 60 and Silverstone hasn't given me too many victories. And in terms of the championship it is obviously ideal to finish again like that."
Schumacher, whose only other victory in Britain came in 1998 a year before he crashed and broke his leg at Silverstone, now enjoys a 54-point lead over Barrichello.
The Brazilian set the fastest lap, a race record time of one minute 23.083, after going from the front row to the back of the field when his car stalled before the formation lap.
FASTEST EVER
Schumacher could become the fastest championship winner in history, having taken his fourth title last year with four races in hand, but he seemed unaware of the position until informed at a post race news conference.
"Let's wait and see," he said.
The German has 86 points, Barrichello 32, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya 31 and Ralf Schumacher 30.
Montoya was third for Williams, again failing to translate his fourth successive pole position into victory but at least finishing after three straight retirements.
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion with Williams and twice a winner at Silverstone, was fourth to end British American Racing's nightmare position as the only team yet to score points this year.
In a double celebration for BAR, Villeneuve's French team mate Olivier Panis was fifth, ahead of the Sauber driven by German Nick Heidfeld.
Apart from Ferrari, BAR were the only team with two cars in the points and they too clearly reaped the benefit of Bridgestone's wet weather tyres.
The changeable weather, with intermittent showers of varying intensity, led to multiple pitstops and some chaotic scenes with drivers coming in together, fuel rigs failing and mechanics unprepared.
Montoya started unchallenged after Barrichello's misfortune and led untroubled through the first corner with Schumacher in hot pursuit.
The Colombian held off the champion until the 15th lap, when Schumacher slipped past on the approach to Club corner and began to pull away.
Barrichello, meanwhile, was carving his way back up through the field and was second by the 19th of the 60 laps.
British drivers had nothing to celebrate, with McLaren's David Coulthard the highest placed in 10th after winning his home race in two of the previous three years.
Coulthard had a brief moment in the lead on lap 13 when he stayed out as the rain fell more heavily and the leaders pitted for a change of tyres.
Fellow Scot Allan McNish did not even make the start of his first home appearance, his Toyota stalling on the grid and being pushed back into the pitlane where he retired.
Neither of the Arrows finished but the team were simply happy to be at the start after financial problems threatened their very existence before the weekend.
Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen had his Arrows in seventh place, challenging compatriot Ralf Schumacher in the Williams, before pulling over on lap 20.
