Fernando Alonso celebrates his win

Fernando Alonso celebrates his win - Photo EFE
It was a chaotic race marked by rain, the safety car, and poor condition of the track

Fernando Alonso has won the South Korea Grand Prix and now leaders the World Drivers’ Championship.

The two Red Bulls failed to finish, Webber crashing out and Vettel’s engine not lasting the conditions which were somewhat chaotic.

The race started behind the safety car because of rain, but was red flagged after just four laps after which there was a considerable delay of nearly an hour and a half before the race got underway again. Once again it was behind the safety car which remained in place until the 18th lap.

Alonso lost second place to Lewis Hamilton after a slow pit stop for Ferrari, but gained it back when the British driver lost control on one of the bends after the long straits which make up the new circuit which many consider was not ready for use. There certainly seemed to be little camber or drainage.

After the exit of the Red Bulls in rapidly fading light it was just a question of whether the intermediate tyres would last the duration.

The other Spanish driver, Jaime Alguersuari, finished just outside the points at 11th.

The Drivers Championship now has a different feel, not only with Alonso leading, but also because Lewis Hamilton’s second place taking up to third in the table and keeping his championship hope