British Grand Prix 2009 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel delivered a commanding victory at the British Grand Prix, leading Mark Webber home for Red Bull's second one-two finish of the season and confirming the shift in momentum as the championship battle entered its crucial phase. The young German's dominant performance from pole position at Silverstone marked the beginning of Red Bull's late-season surge, while Jenson Button's sixth-place finish signaled that Brawn's early advantage had evaporated and the title fight would go down to the wire.

Vettel's pole lap of 1:19.509 showcased the devastating pace of the upgraded Red Bull RB5, which now featured significant aerodynamic improvements and superior KERS integration. From the front, Vettel controlled the race with authority, pulling away from Webber and the chasing pack while setting the fastest lap. His performance was a statement that Red Bull had arrived as genuine championship contenders, with Adrian Newey's technical genius finally overcoming the double-diffuser deficit that had hampered them early in the season. Webber provided perfect support in second place, marking Red Bull's emergence as the team to beat.

Rubens Barrichello salvaged third place for Brawn, limiting the damage in the constructors' championship, but the Brazilian was unable to challenge the Red Bulls' superior pace. Button endured a difficult weekend, struggling with the car's balance and tire degradation to finish a disappointing sixth, scoring just three points. His championship lead was cut to 23 points - still substantial but no longer unassailable with nine races remaining. The British GP marked a definitive turning point in the 2009 season. Brawn's miracle run had stalled, Red Bull were now the fastest team, and Button faced the prospect of defending his lead without the car advantage he'd enjoyed early in the year. The championship that had seemed a foregone conclusion was now a genuine battle.