Highlights

Alonso wins dramatic Australian Grand Prix

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-02 14:59

MELBOURNE, April 2 - Renault's Fernando Alonso won an incident-packed Australian Grand Prix on Sunday to take a 14 point lead in the Formula One standings.

	Renault Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy crosses the finish line as Honda's Jenson Button of Britain's car belches smoke at the end of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne April 2, 2006. [Reuters]

The 24-year-old world champion claimed his second victory in three races this season when he established an early lead then held off McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen to win by less than two seconds on a dramatic afternoon at Albert Park.

"The car was perfect. We were not in danger of losing the race at any time," said the Spaniard. "There were no problems at all.

"Twenty eight points in the first three races is a dream come true, so let's hope we finish like last year."

Ferrari's seven times world champion Michael Schumacher was among a handful of drivers who were involved in high-speed crashes that forced officials to interrupt the race.

Briton Jenson Button, who started on pole position, pulled over agonisingly within sight of the finish line when his Honda's engine blew and burst into flames. He had been in fifth place.

The safety car was introduced on four separate occasions to clear the track after the circuit was showered by debris on a day of carnage, with almost half the drivers failing to complete the race.

Ralf Schumacher stayed out of trouble to steer his Toyota into third place, ahead of fellow German Nick Heidfeld's BMW Sauber and Alonso's Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella, who profited from Button's misfortune.

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was sixth for BMW Sauber, Button's Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello was seventh with American Scott Speed taking the first points for Scuderia Toro Rosso in eighth place.

POINTS GAP

Alonso has 28 points to 14 for Fisichella and Raikkonen. Schumacher and Button are level on 11. Renault lead the constructors' standings with 42 to McLaren's 23.