German GP
July 25, 2010
Spanish driver Fernando Alonso has led his Brazilian Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa in a controversial one-two victory Sunday at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
The German Grand Prix marks Alonso's first win since the opening of the Formula One race season in Bahrain - and the 23rd victory of his career.
Ferrari led from start to finish as both Massa and Alonso overtook German pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull soon after the race began.
Controversial finish
However, Ferrari was slapped with $100,000 (75,000 euros) in fines by the International Automobile Federation for the methods of its win.
Massa had remained in front of Alonso until Ferrari chief engineer Rob Smedley told Massa over the team radio, “Alonso is faster than you. Can you confirm you understand?”
The Brazilian Massa, who was unable to race last year after fracturing his skull in the Hungarian Grand Prix, ceded to his Spanish teammate with 18 laps remaining.
Sporting regulations state that "team orders which interfere with the result of the race are prohibited."
German favorite in third
Vettel, meanwhile, came in third place ahead of McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button of Great Britain.
Australian Mark Webber won sixth for Red Bull ahead of Polish racer Robert Kubica of Renault.
Eigth and ninth went to German Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, followed by Russian Vitaly Petrov in the second Renault, who came in tenth.
And the race continues...
Alonso is now 34 points away from drivers' championship leader Hamilton's 157. Defending champion Button is second with 143 points, while Webber and Vettel are equal third with 136 points.
The Formula One season continues next weekend with the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.
Author: David Levitz (AFP/dpa/Reuters)
Editor: Andreas Illmer