Ferrari's Michael Schumacher broke his Silverstone jinx when he won the British Grand Prix in style today, the German last took victory at this event in 1998. It is the reigning world champion's seventh visit to the top step of the podium in 2002, and should he triumph at next fortnight's French GP means that he will win the 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship™ at his home race in Germany.

"This is a very special win for me, as I have not finished first so often here and it is also my 60th win," he commented in a press release. "It is also an ideal situation for the championship.

"We were not expecting rain. The car handled really well although we never had consistent conditions and I struggled a little bit in the wet. But I have to say the intermediates were good in both the almost dry and the wet.

"We have worked very hard on that with Bridgestone and the whole car tyre packaged worked well. The real question was when to use what tyre. I have to say I was not really sure, so I must thank Ross for making the decisions for me and making the right one. The conditions were really very tricky, especially as the intermediate tyres started to wear out in the dry."

Rubens Barrichello performed superbly to overcome a stall on the formation grid, meaning he had to begin the race from the very back. The Brazilian fought his way up to second place, fending off Juan Pablo Montoya in the latter stages.

"This is a fantastic result for the team and the best I could hope for!" he exclaimed. "I don't yet know what was my problem at the start of the formation lap. When I lined up at the back of the grid, I concentrated on staying very calm, because I knew I had the car to get past people and I was just hoping to get points.

"I kept my attitude together and started to pass people and there were times when I was lucky not to crash because of the big speed differential between our cars and some of the opposition. Everything worked fine and the Bridgestone tyres were fantastic.

"I spun, when I touched a kerb after pushing a bit too hard on the intermediates which were quite worn at the rear. I enjoyed my fight with Juan Pablo. It was a fair one. I lost some speed going into Club corner, but I did not expect him to move on me there!

"I tried to make a move on him at the exit to the corner, which did not work, but after a few more laps I managed to overtake him again."

Sporting director Jean Todt added: "It has been an exceptional day, with a fantastic one-two scored on our rivals' home turf. Our entire package was excellent: the drivers, the team, the cars and the Bridgestone tyres. The result consolidates our position in both Championships.

"A technical problem at the start of the formation lap meant Rubens was unable to make the most of his grid position as he had to start from the back. Rubens managed to catch the front runners and then moved up to second place after 19 laps. The six points he picked up have moved him up to second place in the Drivers' championship. Michael drove fantastically in all conditions, whether dry or wet.

"This one-two finish allows us to tackle the remaining races in the championship with optimism, but this does not mean we will lower our guard. We must not relax as we want to continue the Championship in the same way in which we have completed the first half."