championships - Ferrari - Formula One - Renault - Singapore
Renault's Alonso snatches surprise Singapore GP win
Sunday 28 September 2008
Renault's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso won the first ever Singapore Grand Prix after starting in 15th place on the grid. Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead to seven points, ahead of Felipe Massa.
Sunday 28 September 2008
By ReutersRenault's double world champion Fernando Alonso won his first race in more than a year on Sunday while Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead to seven points after a sensational Singapore Grand Prix.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa, a point behind Hamilton before Formula One's first night race, suffered a potential hammer blow to his title hopes after a pitstop blunder sent him from first to last.
Germany's Nico Rosberg finished second for Williams with Hamilton third for McLaren. The result left Hamilton on 84 points to Massa's 77 with three races remaining.
Brazilian Massa had started on pole position and was on course to take the championship lead from Hamilton before a disastrous pitstop changed the complexion of the race.
The Ferrari man was given the green light to go but the fuel hose was still connected as he accelerated away.
The Ferrari dragged the hose down the pitlane, knocking over mechanics in the process, before Massa stopped and waited for assistance. After mechanics struggled to remove the hose, the Brazilian rejoined the race at the back of the field.
Alonso, who had started in 15th place, took advantage of a safety car interlude and the pitstop blunder to move up the field and collect the 20th win of his career and first since Italy last year for McLaren.
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