Alonso delighted after 'easy' win

The Spanish driver extended his lead in the championship after staying out of trouble in a race filled with incidents and with four Safety Car periods.

It was Alonso's second win of the season, and the tenth of his Formula One career.

"I think the race was a bit crazy," admitted Alonso. "Some moments I didn't understand I was 20 seconds ahead and then the gap disappeared after three or four Safety Car (periods) in 10 laps.

"The car was perfect and there was no risk to lose the race at any time so I was quite confident."

The world champion moved ahead of pole setter Jenson Button early in the race, following the first Safety Car period after an accident from Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

After passing Button, Alonso never looked back.

"It seems our car was a little bit warming the tyres better," said Alonso. "It happened the first lap with Jenson, I overtook him quite easily. I was pulling away then six seconds and it was a little advantage to me.

"I locked the tyres and nearly hit him in the first corner, but we fought close at turn three and like always when I fight with Jenson we had no problems at all; we fight clean.

"And after that it was easy for me."

Alonso's Italian teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, winner of last year's Australian GP and last month's Malaysian GP, finished fifth after starting from the back of the race due to stalling on the grid.

Alonso has 28 points to Kimi Raikkonen and Fisichella's 14. Renault, winner of all three races so far this season, lead the constructors' standings with 42 points to McLaren's 23.