Silverstone, England ? Rain or shine, Michael Schumacher proved again that he’s the best, winning the British Grand Prix for his seventh victory of the season and the 60th of his career. Next, he’ll try to match a racing legend.

Schumacher beat intermittent rain with timely tire changes and slick driving on the 60-lap race on the Silverstone circuit Sunday, winning his second British GP and moving closer to his fifth series title.

Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher’s Ferrari teammate, was second the fourth 1-2 finish for Ferrari this season. Juan Pablo Montoya of BMW Williams was third.

The victory gave Schumacher a decisive 54-point lead over Barrichello with seven races remaining. He could match Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five titles at the French Grand Prix or on his home track in the German GP on July 28.

Asked if he was thinking about clinching in two weeks, Schumacher feigned ignorance: “Can I? I don’t know. I haven’t calculated my points yet.”

Montoya cut off his rival.

“He doesn’t really have to think about it. He’s got in it his pocket already,” he said.

“Thank you. But let’s wait and see,” Schumacher replied.

BAR Honda’s Jacques Villeneuve was fourth, followed by teammate Olivier Panis and Nick Heidfeld of Sauber.

Villeneuve, the ’97 season champion, earned his first points since last year’s Italian Grand Prix.

Schumacher placed the British GP title among his most important.

“This is a very special win for me for the circumstances, the conditions,” said Schumacher, who won the race in 1998. “I have not finished first here very often and this was my 60th … We were not expecting rain and I struggled a little bit in the wet.”

The Ferrari’s Bridgestone tires handled the conditions better than the Michelins of McLaren and BMW Williams.

“It’s the package,” Schumacher said. “We know we have a very good car. We know we have very good tires … but I think today it was purely down to when to use what tire.

“With the car we have, with the package we have we are feeling confident.”

Starting third on the grid, Schumacher passed pole sitter Montoya on the 16th lap as a mist turned to showers.

Barrichello, who was forced to start from last on the grid after stalling on the formation lap, made a daring run to finish second.

The victory gave Schumacher 86 points in 10 races. Barrichello has 32 points, followed by Montoya (31) and Ralf Schumacher (30).

Ferrari leads the constructors race with 118 points.