Alonso wins Malaysian grand prix
FORMULA ONE: SEPANG, Malaysia, March 31, (AFP) - Ferrari's Fernando
Alonso won the rain-interrupted Malaysian Grand Prix in thrilling style
Sunday to claim his first victory in eight months and throw the early
title race wide open.
Alonso survived a lengthy rain suspension, a rash of spins and
mishaps and a strong challenge from Sauber's Sergio Perez to finish the
year's second race ahead of the Mexican driver, with McLaren's Lewis
Hamilton third.
Spain's Alonso, a two-time world champion, was nobody's pre-race
favourite in the clunky F2012, but he emerged from the chaos caused by
torrential rains at the head of the pack and doggedly clung on for
victory.
"It's an unbelievable result and a great job from the team," Alonso
said. "We maximised the potential we had in our hands. It's a tough time
for us at the moment but we will remember last Sunday." Perez pushed
hard for his first win and looked set to steal victory from Alonso until
he dramatically overshot a turn on lap 50.
But he still managed seal his maiden trip to the podium - and
Sauber's best result since they reverted to the ownership of their
founder, Peter Sauber, in 2009.
"I wanted the win and I thought it was possible," smiled the Mexican,
who is rumoured to be in Ferrari's sights to replace the struggling
Felipe Massa. "It never happened but I'm very happy and proud with this
second place."
Red Bull's Mark Webber was fourth with former world champion Kimi
Raikkonen fifth for Lotus. German great Michael Schumacher, who started
third on the grid, span early in the race and finished 10th.
But there were no points for McLaren's Jenson Button, who won last
week's season-opener in Australia, after he collided with India's Narain
Karthikeyan and dropped to the back of the pack, finally coming in 14th.
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