Motorsport story by Boris Webb, Mon, 20 Mar 2006 17:52:00 GMT


KUALA LUMPUR - Giancarlo Fisichella race to victory at Malaysia Grand Prix on Sunday in what was a delightful one-two finish for Renault. Teammate Fernando Alonso, the defending Formula One champion came in behind him, while Jenson Button of Honda claimed the third spot.

It is beginning to look like another triumphant season for Renault, as Michael Schumacher had to be content with a sixth place finish. Fisichella took full advantage of his pole position as he roared off to a great start and never allowed rivals a sniff.

Last year, Fisichella had taken the Australian Albert Park title, but was frustrated thereafter as he watched Alonso grow from strength to strength. In a fortnight's time, Fisichella will bring happy memories to Melbourne and this win should prep him up.

The win was also Renault's first one-two finish for 24 years. Juan Pablo Montoya took the fourth spot in the race, while Ferrari's Felipe Massa came in ahead of Schumacher at fifth. Fisichella was delighted with the win and said it was an emotional time for him. "It was a tough race, physically and mentally, but … the car balance was just fantastic," said Fisichella.

"It was an emotional weekend for me and it was important to do my best because I lost a friend of mine. I would like to dedicate the race to him. Ciao, Pietro." Fisichella's boyhood friend died in an accident last week. Alonso said the race and the result was good for him as well as for the team, "It is good to have them at the back and to open the gap quite a big chunk here in Malaysia like I did last year in the first races," he said.

"I don't consider Fisi to be my opponent. I think that we work together as we did today and we need to score points for our team. Only in the last part of the championship, in the last two or three races, will we be fighting for sure as opponents."

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