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Alonso wins after last lap drama


NURBURGRING, Germany -- Spain's Fernando Alonso grabbed an astonishing last lap victory in the European Grand Prix at Nurburgring to extend his lead in the Formula One world championship.

The Renault driver looked to have settled for second place until long time leader Kimi Raikkonen spun out in his McLaren with tire and suspension damage.

Pole sitter Nick Heidfeld finished second in a Williams with Ferrari number two Rubens Barrichello completing the podium.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis later insisted they were right to gamble on Raikkonen nursing his car home.

The decision backfired spectacularly on the final lap when vibrations caused by a damaged front wheel caused the car's suspension to shatter, allowing Alonso through from second place.

"Life is full of risks," said Dennis, who said the decision was "100 percent right".

"Normally, this will take a couple of hours or a couple of days to come to terms with," he added.

"I believe in my mind we made the right decision. There was not sufficient evidence it was unsteady. We did what was necessary to win -- almost."

"It was a very, very good race from our side," said Alonso.

"I lost so much at the start, I almost lost my race at the first corner because someone pushed me in the back and I would have been happy with the second place.

"When Kimi went off I was worried first, to avoid the debris, then after that I was obviously happy for myself and I think my car was quicker than the McLaren and it was better and better every lap. The race was a bit too short for me!"

Early incident

A number of drivers were held up on the notorious first corner at Nurburgring, including world champion Michael Schumacher, as Williams driver Mark Webber tangled with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

Britain's David Coulthrard took advantage to drive a super race for fourth place in the Red Bull and might have made the podium but for a penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

Schumacher battled back to take fifth in his Ferrari, with Montoya sixth.

Webber later accepted the blame for a first corner collision with Montoya.

The Australian, who had started third on the grid behind his team mate Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen, hit the Colombian's McLaren approaching the first corner, forcing Montoya and several other cars off the track.

The Williams team have struggled at the start of races this season and Webber said Sunday was no exception.

"Getting away hasn't been our strength," said Webber. "Both Nick and I obviously were on the back foot down to the first corner a little bit, but there's no excuse really to hit Juan Pablo.

"I was trying to defend against (Toyota's) Jarno (Trulli) because it was very important we stayed ahead of him and I just couldn't quite get it turned in at the apex so that was a shame.

"We were on a good strategy today actually, very different to Nick," he added.


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