Fernando Alonso delivered a commanding British Grand Prix victory, adding pole position and fastest lap to his Silverstone success. Michael Schumacher finished second ahead of Kimi Räikkönen as Renault’s championship leader strengthened his advantage.
Race Guide
Season: 2006 F1 World Championship
Race date: 11 June 2006
Race start time: 12:00 local time (UTC+01:00)
Circuit: Silverstone Circuit
Laps: 60 laps
Circuit length: 5.141 km
2005 winner: Juan Pablo Montoya
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| Pole time | 1:20.253 | |
| Fastest lap | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:21.599 on lap 21 | |
| First | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| Second | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| Third | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 9 June 2006 | Practice 1 | 11:00 |
| 9 June 2006 | Practice 2 | 14:00 |
| 10 June 2006 | Practice 3 | 09:30 |
| 10 June 2006 | Qualifying | 12:30 |
| 11 June 2006 | Race | 12:00 |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Fernando Alonso arrived at round 8 leading the 2006 F1 World Championship on 64 points, with Michael Schumacher on 43. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 91 points.
Race entries
The 11 teams kept the same race line-ups for the British Grand Prix. Alexander Wurz, Anthony Davidson, Giorgio Mondini, Neel Jani, Robert Doornbos, Robert Kubica, Sakon Yamamoto also took part in practice.
Free Practice
Wurz narrowly beat Davidson on Friday morning, with the seven third drivers each completing far more laps than the regular race drivers. Williams kept Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg in the garage, while Michael Schumacher spun late in the session. Mondini and Takuma Sato also went off, underlining the risks teams were balancing against the need to conserve engines.
Robert Kubica set a time more than a second clear in the afternoon, a striking result that also reflected differing programmes and limited running by some rivals. Both Renault drivers and both Ferrari drivers ventured off the circuit without serious damage. Saturday’s sessions were scheduled earlier than usual to avoid a clash with the football World Cup.
Michael Schumacher led the early Saturday session, with Nick Heidfeld second in an unusual order. Kimi Räikkönen spun near the end and Juan Pablo Montoya also ran off, while the Renaults were fifth and sixth. The session gave Ferrari encouragement, but the mixed programmes still left room for the leading teams to reveal more in qualifying.
Free Practice 1 Classification
2006 British Grand Prix FP1, 9 June 2006
Free Practice 2 Classification
2006 British Grand Prix FP2, 9 June 2006
Free Practice 3 Classification
2006 British Grand Prix FP3, 10 June 2006
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 1:20.919 | 13 |
| 2 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | +0.442s | 13 |
| 3 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | +0.714s | 15 |
| 4 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | +0.852s | 12 |
| 5 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | +0.940s | 12 |
| 6 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | +0.951s | 13 |
| 7 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | +1.104s | 12 |
| 8 | 17 | Jacques Villeneuve | BMW Sauber | +1.310s | 14 |
| 9 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | +1.537s | 18 |
| 10 | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | +1.613s | 14 |
| 11 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | +1.677s | 15 |
| 12 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | +1.762s | 15 |
| 13 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Midland | +1.893s | 19 |
| 14 | 15 | Christian Klien | Red Bull Racing | +2.002s | 14 |
| 15 | 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | McLaren | +2.493s | 7 |
| 16 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | +2.540s | 13 |
| 17 | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | +3.045s | 12 |
| 18 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | +3.091s | 11 |
| 19 | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | +3.467s | 12 |
| 20 | 23 | Franck Montagny | Super Aguri | +6.310s | 10 |
| 21 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | +6.606s | 12 |
| 22 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Midland | No time | 3 |
Qualifying
Fernando Alonso took pole ahead of Kimi Räikkönen and Michael Schumacher. Felipe Massa qualified fourth, with Giancarlo Fisichella fifth and Rubens Barrichello sixth. Renault had converted its pace into the best starting position, while McLaren placed Kimi Räikkönen directly between Fernando Alonso and his closest championship rival.
Jenson Button’s home qualifying ended in Q1, a major disappointment for Honda after its Monaco difficulties. Jarno Trulli failed to set a time, while Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg both reached Q3 for Williams. The front of the grid promised a three-team contest, although Fernando Alonso would prove the strongest over a race distance.
Qualifying Classification
2006 British Grand Prix Qualifying, 10 June 2006
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 1:21.018 | 1:20.271 | 1:20.253 | 24 |
| 2 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 1:21.648 | 1:20.497 | 1:20.397 | 24 |
| 3 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 1:22.096 | 1:20.659 | 1:20.574 | 22 |
| 4 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:21.647 | 1:20.846 | 1:20.764 | 21 |
| 5 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 1:22.411 | 1:20.594 | 1:20.919 | 21 |
| 6 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 1:22.965 | 1:20.929 | 1:20.943 | 24 |
| 7 | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 1:22.886 | 1:21.043 | 1:21.073 | 28 |
| 8 | 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | McLaren | 1:22.169 | 1:20.816 | 1:21.107 | 23 |
| 9 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:21.670 | 1:20.629 | 1:21.329 | 28 |
| 10 | 17 | Jacques Villeneuve | BMW Sauber | 1:21.637 | 1:20.672 | 1:21.599 | 21 |
| 11 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | 1:22.424 | 1:21.442 | — | 12 |
| 12 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | 1:23.083 | 1:21.567 | — | 9 |
| 13 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | 1:22.685 | 1:21.699 | — | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | Christian Klien | Red Bull Racing | 1:22.773 | 1:21.990 | — | 12 |
| 15 | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | 1:22.541 | 1:22.076 | — | 11 |
| 16 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Midland | 1:22.860 | 1:22.207 | — | 10 |
| 17 | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | 1:23.129 | — | — | 3 |
| 18 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Midland | 1:23.210 | — | — | 7 |
| 19 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 1:23.247 | — | — | 3 |
| 20 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | 1:26.158 | — | — | 6 |
| 21 | 23 | Franck Montagny | Super Aguri | 1:26.316 | — | — | 6 |
| 22 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | No time | — | — | 2 |
Takuma Sato was handed a 10 place grid penalty following a chassis and engine change after the Saturday morning practice session.
Jarno Trulli did not get any time in the first part of Q1 as a due to an engine failure.
What happened in the 2006 British Grand Prix?
Fernando Alonso retained the lead as an opening-lap incident involving Scott Speed, Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber brought out the safety car and ended all three races. At the restart Michael Schumacher challenged Kimi Räikkönen but could not pass. Fernando Alonso then steadily opened a gap at the front.
Renault’s pace carried Fernando Alonso clear through the pit-stop sequence. Michael Schumacher eventually moved ahead of Kimi Räikkönen at the second stops, but he could not threaten the leader. Giancarlo Fisichella closed on the McLaren in the later stages without finding a way onto the podium.
Fernando Alonso won from Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen, with Giancarlo Fisichella fourth and Felipe Massa fifth. Juan Pablo Montoya, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve completed the points. Jenson Button retired from his home race, while Fernando Alonso’s pole, win and fastest lap made this one of his most complete performances of the season.
After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 74 points, followed by Michael Schumacher on 51. Renault led the constructors’ table on 106, with Ferrari on 75.
2006 British Grand Prix race results
The 2006 British Grand Prix was held on 11 June 2006, with a scheduled start of 12:00 local time.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 60 | 1:25:51.927 | 10 |
| 2 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 60 | +13.951 | 8 |
| 3 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 60 | +18.672 | 6 |
| 4 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 60 | +19.976 | 5 |
| 5 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 60 | +31.559 | 4 |
| 6 | 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | McLaren | 60 | +1:04.769 | 3 |
| 7 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 60 | +1:14.594 | 2 |
| 8 | 17 | Jacques Villeneuve | BMW Sauber | 60 | +1:18.299 | 1 |
| 9 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | 60 | +1:19.008 | 0 |
| 10 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 11 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 12 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 13 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 14 | 15 | Christian Klien | Red Bull Racing | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 15 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Midland | 59 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 16 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Midland | 58 | +2 laps | 0 |
| 17 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | 57 | +3 laps | 0 |
| 18 | 23 | Franck Montagny | Super Aguri | 57 | +3 laps | 0 |
| Ret | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 8 | Oil leak | 0 |
| Ret | 21 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso | 1 | Collision damage | 0 |
| Ret | 7 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 0 | Collision | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Mark Webber | Williams | 0 | Collision | 0 |
2006 British Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time | Avg. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 21 | 1:21.599 | 226.811 |
| 2 | 5 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 53 | 1:21.934 | 225.884 |
| 3 | 2 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 42 | 1:22.238 | 225.049 |
| 4 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 43 | 1:22.371 | 224.685 |
| 5 | 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | 15 | 1:22.461 | 224.440 |
| 6 | 16 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 43 | 1:22.706 | 223.775 |
| 7 | 8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 19 | 1:22.744 | 223.673 |
| 8 | 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | McLaren | 38 | 1:22.780 | 223.575 |
| 9 | 10 | Nico Rosberg | Williams | 47 | 1:22.916 | 223.209 |
| 10 | 17 | Jacques Villeneuve | BMW Sauber | 46 | 1:22.921 | 223.195 |
| 11 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 38 | 1:23.224 | 222.382 |
| 12 | 15 | Christian Klien | Red Bull Racing | 30 | 1:23.712 | 221.086 |
| 13 | 19 | Christijan Albers | Midland | 27 | 1:23.977 | 220.388 |
| 14 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull Racing | 42 | 1:23.995 | 220.341 |
| 15 | 20 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso | 25 | 1:24.221 | 219.750 |
| 16 | 18 | Tiago Monteiro | Midland | 25 | 1:24.636 | 218.672 |
| 17 | 12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 8 | 1:25.207 | 217.207 |
| 18 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri | 23 | 1:26.520 | 213.911 |
| 19 | 23 | Franck Montagny | Super Aguri | 26 | 1:27.167 | 212.323 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
2006 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 2006 British Grand Prix.
2006 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fernando Alonso | Spanish | Renault | 74 |
| 2 | Michael Schumacher | German | Ferrari | 51 |
| 3 | Kimi Räikkönen | Finnish | McLaren | 33 |
| 4 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Italian | Renault | 32 |
| 5 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Colombian | McLaren | 26 |
| 6 | Felipe Massa | Brazilian | Ferrari | 24 |
| 7 | Jenson Button | British | Honda | 16 |
| 8 | Rubens Barrichello | Brazilian | Honda | 13 |
| 9 | Nick Heidfeld | German | BMW Sauber | 10 |
| 10 | Ralf Schumacher | German | Toyota | 8 |
| 11 | David Coulthard | British | Red Bull Racing | 7 |
| 12 | Jacques Villeneuve | Canadian | BMW Sauber | 7 |
| 13 | Mark Webber | Australian | Williams | 6 |
| 14 | Nico Rosberg | German | Williams | 4 |
| 15 | Christian Klien | Austrian | Red Bull Racing | 1 |
| 16 | Jarno Trulli | Italian | Toyota | 0 |
| 17 | Scott Speed | American | Toro Rosso | 0 |
| 18 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Italian | Toro Rosso | 0 |
| 19 | Christijan Albers | Dutch | Midland | 0 |
| 20 | Tiago Monteiro | Portuguese | Midland | 0 |
| 21 | Takuma Sato | Japanese | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 22 | Yuji Ide | Japanese | Super Aguri | 0 |
| 23 | Franck Montagny | French | Super Aguri | 0 |
2006 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault | 106 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 75 |
| 3 | McLaren | 59 |
| 4 | Honda | 29 |
| 5 | BMW Sauber | 17 |
| 6 | Williams | 10 |
| 7 | Toyota | 8 |
| 8 | Red Bull Racing | 8 |
| 9 | Toro Rosso | 0 |
| 10 | Midland | 0 |
| 11 | Super Aguri | 0 |
2006 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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