In all reality, the only hope for a non-Alonso win at Silverstone today is that Ferrari had Michael Schumacher running with a heavier fuel load yesterday.

If not, this afternoon's race should be a peaceful uneventful Sunday afternoon drive in the English countryside for the World Champion, something he should be used to considering that he lives in Oxford.

Up until today, Fernando has completed every single racing lap this season, the only man to do so. Furthermore, he hasn't retired from a race - other than the shambolic event at Indianapolis - since last year's Canadian Grand Prix.

Therefore, taking it as read that the R26 is bullet-proof, the Spaniard should be adding another ten points to his tally this afternoon, inching ever closer to the point where it will be virtually impossible for him to be overhauled - thanks to the current points system.

Indeed, having completed all but 36 race laps this season, though at a lesser pace, there is no reason why Giancarlo Fisichella shouldn't join his Renault teammate on the podium.

As to who will finish behind the Spaniard - the best of the rest so to speak - it is likely to be a straightforward battle between Michael and Kimi, though 2006 reliability suggests the latter. That said, Silverstone is not a car-breaker, there was only one retirement in 2005, and only a couple in the previous two Grands Prix at the Northamptonshire track.

Assuming that Fernando, Kimi and Michael, possibly Fisichella, will account for the podium spots, we could still see an interesting tussle for the remainder of the points, with BMW keen to build on the form shown in qualifying.

Button wrote off his chances of a Silverstone win some time ago, and in all reality, thanks to yesterday's qualifying debacle he will be lucky to leave his 'home' Grands Prix - he also considers Monaco to be one of his home races - with a point, though he could, if fired up enough, emulate Michael Schumacher's Monaco performance.

Therefore the battle for the remaining points, in our humble opinion, will be between Massa, Barrichello, Ralf, Montoya and the two BMWs, though it would be foolish to dismiss the WilliamsF1 duo.

Finally, keep an eye on Tiago Monteiro. We do not expect him to make a surprise visit to the podium, though that isn't down to a lack of ambition, however we do expect another strong performance. In all honesty, the Portuguese driver hasn't been getting the credit he should, yet this weekend he has once again proved that despite the equipment at his disposal he is able to perform miracles. A lot of 'star' names would be put to shame should they find themselves competing against Tiago in equal equipment, we only hope that others are keeping an eyes on him. With no disrespect to Midland, he deserves a good car in order to truly demonstrate his undoubted talents.

So, just to reiterate, unless Michael was running heavy, it has to be Alonso… but then again who knows whether fate may have a surprise in store for us, who knows whether an unfrocked priest might make an unscheduled appearance. Stranger things have happened.

Anyway, as the cars take their places on the grid, around ten minutes after the end of dawn chorus it seems, the air temperature is 27 degrees C, and the track temperature is 41 degrees. It's bright and sunny. As the VIPs and corporate guests take their seats, the real races, many of whom have been 'in position' since the very early hours, apply another dollop of sun-lotion and prepare for (almost) ninety minutes of racing.