By Volker Gundrum Mar 19, 2006, 10:49 GMT
Sepang, Malaysia - Fantastico Fisico - otherwise known as Giancarlo Fisichella - led from start to finish to head a Renault one-two in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Italian Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Renault F1 Team crosses the finish line to win the Formula One Grand Prix of Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday 19 March 2006. EPA/GERO BRELOER
Defending world champion Fernando Alonso, who won the opening race in Bahrain last week, was second to extend his lead in the world championship standings to seven points.
Fisichella needed one hour 30 minutes and 40.529 seconds for the 310.408 kilometres on the 5,543 kilometres-long course in a race during which Renault led all but one of the 56 laps.
Fisichello, who gave Renault their first one-two in 24 years, said that the race had been perfect. 'It was very tough physically and mentally. I am now looking forward to the season. I think we have a good car and everything is possible.'
He then proceeded to dedicate the victory to a friend of his who passed away during the week.
Alsonso had a sensational start, moving from seventh to third in the first corner, but then could do little as Fisichella and Jenson Button in a Honda put distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
It was only midway through the race that Alonso managed to move past the Briton during a petrol stop, but he failed to catch up with the Italian race leader.
'I knew I had to overtake a few drivers in the first corner, otherwise it would have been very difficult. But after the problem in the qualifying I could not get to the front.'
Button finished third, with McLaren-Mercedes' Juan Pablo Montoya fourth. The two Ferrari's of Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher were fifth and sixth, with the two final point-positions going to Jacques Villeneuve in a BMW-Sauber and Ralf Schumacher in a Toyota.
Alonso leads the standings with 18 points from Button and Michael Schumacher, who have 11.
Button admitted that the Renault's were too strong for him. 'I think I got the maximum out of my car. There was nothing else I could do. I am happy with the race, but there is still work to do.'
McLaren-Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third in the last race in Bahrain had to retire in the first lap after being knocked from behind by Austrian Christian Klien in the Red Bull, who also had to pull out shortly afterwards.
There was also misery for the two Williams as both Mark Webber and newcomer Nico Rosberg blew out of the race early on with engine problems.
German Nick Heidfeld, lying fifth, also blew an engine and had to retire seven laps from the end.
The race was then a tactical one with teams with differing stop strategies trying to make the most of their light runs.
Eight of the teams notified the organizers that they intended to protest about the new wing on the Ferrari.
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