Australia’s Mark Webber surged back into contention for this years World Formula One Championship with a forceful all the way win in the British GP at Silverstone.

Webber confounded his critics by winning the start over his team mate Sebastian Vettel with the young German  picking up a rear puncture and dropping to the rear of the field.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton put in a strong performance to finish second. The English driver kept pace with Webber right throughout the race without ever really challenging for the lead.

Third place went to Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes who again outclassed team-mate Michael Schumacher.

Vettel recovered to finish seventh to salvage what was otherwise a day to forget.

Webber’s victory is a slap in the face for his red Bull team hierarchy who have made little secret of the fact that they see Vettel as the team’s number one.

“Not bad for a number two driver” Webber pointedly said on the team radio as he crossed the finish line.

“Perhaps now we can get a smile” replied a terse Christian Horner.

Speaking after the race Webber said he hoped that the team would be able to get together to sort out the problems of the weekend, He did however say that had he foreseen the way he would be treated he would not have re-signed with the team for next year.

Hamilton’s second place stretches his lead in the championship with 145 points ahead of McLaren team mate Jenson Button with 133. Mark Webber now jumps ahead of his team mate with 128 points, Vettel with 121, and Alonso with 98.