The Spaniard sprinted away at the start while team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella kept both McLarens at bay, but it was an errant drain cover that effectively handed the
regie the crown, taking Juan Montoya out of the race before half-distance.
Although the ensuing safety car, and another to clear the wrecked Jordan of Narain Karthikeyan, wiped out Alonso's lead, but the world champion kept his cool, and re-established his lead for a seventh win of the year. Kimi Raikkonen eventually came home in second place, claiming fastest lap during his vain pursuit of the leader, while Ralf Schumacher took advantage of a late drive-thru' penalty for Fisichella - the Italian have illegally backed up the pack during the flurry of safety car pit-stops - to pinch the final podium spot. Fisichella was fourth by just 0.7secs.
Ferrari was never a factor, with
Rubens Barrichello eventually dropping to twelfth with tyre problems, but still out-performing team-mate
Michael Schumacher, as the German capped a miserable day - and season - by spinning out under the first safety car.
1.
Fernando Alonso Spain
Renault-Renault 56 laps
01:39:53.618
2.
Kimi Raikkonen Finland
McLaren-Mercedes +4.015
3.
Ralf Schumacher Germany
Toyota-Toyota +25.376
4.
Giancarlo Fisichella Italy
Renault-Renault +26.114
5.
Christian Klien Austria
Red Bull-Cosworth +31.839
6.
Felipe Massa Brazil
Sauber-Petronas +36.400
7.
Mark Webber Australia
Williams-BMW +36.842
8.
Jenson Button Britain
BAR-Honda +41.249
