2010 European Grand Prix Race day at Valencia

So Vettel comes through a tough and very hot race to win at Valencia, putting Red Bull back on track.

The victory was assured when Hamilton passed the safety car at the wrong part of the circuit, requiring a drive-through penalty. But there could be more to come with several drivers also under investigation for exceeding the regulation safety car speed.

McLaren will be pleased with a two-three finish to maintain the lead in the constructors' championship, but Fernando Alonso ends the day in a dark mood after a disappointing race.

Ultimately, however, the most important thing is that Mark Webber is unhurt after that incredible crash with Kovalainen.

This was the 2010 European Grand Prix on AUTOSPORT Live. Thanks for joining us throughout the weekend. We will be back for the British Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

A dramatic afternoon leaves Hamilton and McLaren still on top of the title standings but Vettel is now up to third after his win. These standings could be subject to change due to that ongoing investigation into the laptimes of the cars that pitted immediately after the safety car was deployed.
World Championship standings, round 9: Drivers: Constructors: 1. Hamilton 127 1. McLaren-Mercedes 248 2. Button 121 2. Red Bull-Renault 218 3. Vettel 115 3. Ferrari 163 4. Webber 103 4. Mercedes 108 5. Alonso 96 5. Renault 89 6. Kubica 83 6. Force India-Mercedes 43 7. Rosberg 74 7. Williams-Cosworth 20 8. Massa 67 8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 12 9. Schumacher 34 9. Sauber-Ferrari 8 10. Sutil 31

Here's our round-up of an eventful afternoon in Valencia:

Vettel wins controversial European GP

There are plenty of talking points after that race and that major stewards' inquiry. Stick with AUTOSPORT for all the news and reaction.

The champagne sprays on the podium at the end of a close but rather processional European Grand Prix. All three drivers take a sip in the hot sun.

Button is happy with his award for third but that may be under threat due to the nine-car safety car lap speed investigation.

Lewis Hamilton takes his award for second place in today's race. The British driver is pleased and raises the trophy aloft.

Sebastian Vettel accepts the trophy for his second win of the season.

Austria's national anthem now plays in honour of today's winning constructor, Red Bull Racing.

The top three come out onto the podium and the German national anthem rings out for today's winner - Sebastian Vettel.

Three drivers retired from the European Grand Prix:

Nico Hulkenberg went out from tenth place with only a few laps to go when his left rear tyre delaminated.

Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen made contact when fighting for 17th, resulting in that horrible airborne accident for the Australian.

Senna was 20th with Trulli 21st and the last classified finisher.

Vettel embraces his mechanics in the pitlane after his impressive triumph on an eventful afternoon in Valencia.

Di Grassi wins the new teams battle in 17th for Virgin, with Glock 18th having passed Chandhok with two laps to go. Chandhok finishes 19th.

Rosberg finished 12th with Liuzzi 13th and Massa 14th. Schumacher closed to within 0.5s of Alguersuari but wasn't able to make a move.

Alonso ends a terrible day in front of his home crowd in ninth with de la Rosa claiming the final point in tenth place. Petrov was 11th.

Sutil finishes in a strong sixth place with Kobayashi pleasing Sauber with that late move on Buemi for seventh.

Vettel is delighted with today's win, telling the team it is "back on track."

It's a strong fourth for Barrichello in the Williams, holding Kubica back throughout the distance.

Kobayashi passes Buemi on the last lap for seventh at the final corner!

Button grabs third for McLaren to complete the podium but is one of the drivers set for investigation after the scramble to pit.

Hamilton takes second for McLaren, keeping him on top of the championship after a typical afternoon on fighting form.

It has been a very strong drive from the German, surviving attack from Hamilton at the start and restart.

Sebastian Vettel wins the European Grand Prix for Red Bull!

Lap 57: Vettel has just a few corners to go with Hamilton still second.

Lap 57: Alonso will feel even more annoyed having been drilled by the Sauber towards the end of the race.

Lap 56: At the front, Sebastian Vettel is now on his last lap.

Lap 56: But he tries again going into Turn 17 and Kobayashi passes Alonso for eighth place - amazing stuff.

Lap 56: Alonso makes an error, allowing Kobayashi to have a go at the Ferrari. The Japanese drivers holds off making a potential rash move on this occasion.

Lap 56: Buemi in seventh has Alonso all over his gearbox again and Kobayashi is right there as well with less than two laps remaining.

Lap 55: Vettel holds a 6.6s lead over Hamilton with Button a further 7s behind in third but the action is further down the field.

Lap 54: Schumacher in 16th sets another new fastest lap of the race and is just 3.6 seconds behind the Toro Rosso.

Lap 54: Petrov is all over de la Rosa but up ahead Kobayashi rejoins in ninth after a reasonable stop.

Lap 53: That promotes Button to third, Barrichello to fourth and Kubica to fifth.

Lap 53: The Sauber team are in the pitlane and looking to finally pit Kobayashi.

Lap 52: The retirement for Hulkenberg promotes Pedro de la Rosa into the 10th place and the points. Both Saubers are set to score this afternoon.

Lap 52: Vettel is responding to the push from Hamilton and sets the fastest lap at 1m39.141s. The gap extends to eight seconds.

Lap 52: Replays show that Hulkenberg's right rear tyre delaminated. The flailing rubber then ripped away at the bodywork, causing damage to the FW32.

Lap 51: Kobayashi continues to hold third and is setting excellent laptimes on his rubber that has covered the entire distance so far.

Lap 51: Hulkenberg kicks the tyre wall in rage after retiring from the race when set for the points.