Ferrari's Fernando Alonso Wins Korean Grand Prix, Claims Championship Lead

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso claimed victory and the world championship lead by winning the eventful inaugural Korean Grand Prix which started in very difficult conditions. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton kept his title hopes alive with second position, while Alonso teammate Felipe Massa finished third. Mercedes' Michael Schumacher took fourth as he drove one of his finest races since his return to Formula One.

But the highlight of the day was that both Red Bull cars failed to cross the finishing line. Sebastian Vettel started on pole, with Mark Webber on second. Webber however crashed out on lap 19 after hitting the kerb and then colliding into Nico Rosberg of Mercedes. Vettel was leading the pack when his Red Bull's Renault engine suddenly gave up on lap 46. McLaren's reigning world champion Jenson Button could only manage 12th, all but ending any hopes of retaining his world title.

With two races left to go, Alonso holds the championship lead with 231 points. Webber has 220 points, Hamilton with 210 points and Vettel has 206 points. Despite his lead and good form, two-time world champion Alonso believes that the championship battle is still alive: “Now there are still fifty points up for grabs; Red Bull are still favourite, but we will continue to do our utmost and try to always get onto the podium”.

“We know with the new points system everything can change in one race—if you don't score, you lose 25 points to your opponents”, the Spaniard said. “Here it was bad luck for Mark and Sebastian. Anything can happen in the next two races”.