2008 British Grand Prix

Championship standings

Massa leads on 48 points, Kubica second on 46, Räikkönen third on 43. Hamilton is fourth on 38 — a fall from first to fourth since Canada — with Heidfeld fifth on 36. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ on 91 points, BMW Sauber second on 74, McLaren third on 58.

Previous race

Massa won in France, taking his third victory of the season, with Räikkönen second in another Ferrari 1–2. Räikkönen had led comfortably until his right exhaust pipe broke on lap 30, losing power and allowing Massa through. Hamilton started 11th due to his Canada penalty, received a drive-through penalty for overtaking Vettel by missing a chicane, and failed to score.

Between-race developments

Mid-week testing ran at Silverstone from 25 to 27 June. Massa was fastest on the first day but suffered a mechanical failure that red-flagged the session. Kovalainen improved to lead day two, though Fisichella crashed heavily at Becketts in strong winds. Hamilton set the quickest time of the test on day three — a 1:19.170, over 0.6 seconds ahead of second-fastest Glock.

The FIA announced that Donington Park has been awarded a ten-year contract to host the British Grand Prix from 2010, subject to circuit renovation. The British Racing Drivers’ Club, owners of Silverstone, expressed disappointment; the circuit is celebrating its 60th anniversary of hosting the British Grand Prix this weekend.

Milestones

David Coulthard announced his retirement at the end of the season, choosing Silverstone for the announcement: “My decision was taken earlier this year and is based on a desire to stop while I am still competitive.” He has won twice at Silverstone and is a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

Practice

Massa was fastest in FP1 with a 1:19.575 despite crashing with 30 minutes to go — Alonso’s Renault had shed oil at Stowe, Massa hit the slippery patch and slid into the barriers. The session was red-flagged for 18 minutes. Kovalainen led FP2, more than half a second ahead of Webber and Hamilton; Trulli crashed heavily at Stowe after a rear wing failure, though he was unhurt. Alonso topped the damp Saturday session, with the track drying from wets through intermediates to slicks during the hour. Webber was second, Kovalainen third.