Sep 28, 2008 - 10:50 AM
2 shoutsSINGAPORE (Ticker) -- Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso staged a stunning recovery to secure a historic victory at an action-packed Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Spaniard had started Formula One's first night race 15th on the grid after fuel feed problems brought an end to his qualifying campaign in the second session yesterday.
But the Renault driver produced a superb performance to secure his first win of the year.
Williams' Nico Rosberg finished second while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton took third to boost his lead in the drivers' standings as he looks to mastermind a first world championship title.
Toyota's Timo Glock finished fourth while Sebastian Vettel followed up his Italian Grand Prix victory with a fifth place in his Toro Rosso.
BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld finished sixth, Red Bull's David Coulthard took seventh while Kazuki Nakajima of Williams finished eighth.
But the race was a disastrous one for Ferrari as Felipe Massa could only finish 13th having started the race on pole while Kimi Raikkonen suffered a crash late.
Massa had started the race superbly, streaking ahead of Hamilton straight away, but his hopes of a podium finish came to a disappointing end on lap 18.
The Brazilian entered the pit lane but was then shown the green light while the fuel hose was still attached.
Massa injured a member of his crew as he moved away before mechanics struggled to remove the hose to allow him to rejoin the race.
Raikkonen, meanwhile, suffered heartbreak late on when he launched from the second curb on turn 10 and was unable to recover sufficiently before ploughing into the wall.
The victory was just reward for Alonso after dominating two of the three practice sessions prior to the race.
And the 27-year-old was naturally delighted with the win.
"It was fantastic," he said. "I can't believe it and I think I need a couple of days to realise we have won a race."
From the Bleachers
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EasternPA
First ever F1 race in Singapore and first ever F1 race under the lights! Very exciting!
Sep 27 6:38 PM -
