Renault’s Fernando Alonso led the British Grand Prix from start to finish on Sunday to maintain his vice-like grip on the Formula One championship.

The world champion’s first win at Silverstone, one of his Anglo-French team’s home races, was his fifth in eight grands prix and third in a row.

“Winning in Spain, Monaco and Silverstone — the last three races are a dream come true,” said Alonso. “They are circuits with big names and big emotions.

“And winning in this country, 20 minutes away from my home in Oxford, is for me a really good feeling and a fantastic day.”

The 24-year-old Spaniard’s lead over Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, the seven-times champion who finished second ahead of McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, increased to 23 points with 10 races remaining.

Alonso has 74 points from a possible 80, with Schumacher on 51 and Raikkonen on 33.

Worryingly for Schumacher, the chances of Alonso’s lead narrowing significantly any time soon looked remote after another untroubled Sunday stroll in the sunshine for the youngest of champions.

Alonso, on pole position for the fourth race in a row, was making his 14th successive appearance on the podium and he has finished second when he has not won this year.

RESULTS

1. Fernando Alonso E Renault 25:51.927

2. Michael Schumacher D Ferrari +13.951

3. Kimi Raikkonen FIN McLaren-Mercedes +18.672

4. Giancarlo Fisichella I Renault +19.976

5. Felipe Massa BR Ferrari +31.559

6. Juan Pablo Montoya COL McLaren-Mercedes +1:04.769

7. Nick Heidfeld D BMW +1:11.594

8. Jacques Villeneuve CDN BMW +1:18.299

9. Nico Rosberg D Williams-Cosworth +1:19.008

10. Rubens Barrichello BR Honda -1 lap

11. Jarno ulli I Toyota -1 lap

12. David Coulthard GB Red Bull-Ferrari -1 lap

13. Vitantonio Liuzzi I Toro Rosso-Cosworth -1 lap

14. Christian Klien A Red Bull-Ferrari -1 lap

15. Christijan Albers NL MF1-Toyota -1 lap

16. Tiago Monteiro P MF1-Toyota -2 laps

17. Takuma Sato J Super Aguri-Honda -3 laps

18. Franck Montagny F Super Aguri-Honda -3 laps

DNF Jenson Button GB Honda on lap 9 Engine

DNF Scott Speed USA Toro Rosso-Cosworth on lap 2 Accident

DNF Ralf Schumacher D Toyota on lap 1 Accident

DNF Mark Webber AUS Williams-Cosworth on lap 1 Accident