Fernando Alonꦅso took a surprise victory in the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, the Spaniard capitalising on a chaotic opening lap that saw Ferrari and McLaren give up their start-line advantage.

Once Lewis Hamilton had forced both team-mate Heikki Kovalainen and both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa wide at the first turn, and he ahd overcome initial leader Robert Kubica, Alonso took contro꧒l of the race, only allowing anyone else a look at the lead during the two pit-stop windows as he cruised to his 21st grand prix victory.

Kubica and Raikkonen completed t♋he podium after the Finn proved unable to overcome the BMW Sauber, which also took advantage of the scuffles at the 🐎start, while Nelson Piquet Jr went some way to perhaps extending his F1 career with an assured drive to fourth.

Jarno Trulli claimed fifth for home favourites Toyota, while both Toro Rosso cars scored points as Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel came home lin💙e astern.

The final point, however, was almost as important as Alonso's win as Massa recovered from his collision with title rival Hamilton on lap 🌟two - and the ensuing penalty - to catch and pass Red Bull's Mark Webber in the closing s൩tages and reduce the championship deficit to six points with two races remaining.

The Brazilian, however, faces a🗹nother, post-race, investigation for a clash with Bourdais in whic꧑h the Ferrari came off worst.

Hamilton, who also s🍸uffered a penalty for his move on Raikkonen at the opening corner, came home twelfဣth.

Full report and result to follow.....