Fernando Alonso took a surprise victory in the Japanese Grand Prix at F𓂃uji, 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 control of the race, only allowing anyone else a look at the lead during the two pit-stop windows as he cruised to his 21st gra♛nd prix victory.

Kubica and Raikkonen completed the podium after the Finn proved unable to overcome the BMW Sauber, which also took adva🐠ntage of the scuffles at the start, while Nelson Piquet Jr went some way to perhaps extending his F1 career with a🧜n assured drive to fourth.

Jarno Trulli claimed fifth for home favourites Toyota, while both Toro Rosso cars𝓀 scored points as S🦩ebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel came home line astern.

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

The Brazilian, however, faces anot💟her, post-race, investigation for a clash with B💫ourdais in which the Ferrari came off worst.

Hamilton, who also suffered a penalty 🙈for his move on Raik🌸konen at the opening corner, came home twelfth.

Full report and result to follow.....