Ferrari's dual world motor racing champion Fernando Alonso benefitted from preferential treatment from his team to win the German Grand Prix in controversial circumstances.
Alonso's win not only revitalised his bid for a third world title, it also crushed the victory hopes of his Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa's who was virtually ordered to surrender the lead to his faster teammate.
Massa complied with the order to finish second ahead of Sebastian Vettel with the Britons Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, taking fourth and fifth places for McLaren.
Alonso's win took him to within 34 points of drivers championship leader Hamilton, who has 157 points.
Button is second with 143 points while Webber and Vettel are equal third with 136 points.
In the meantime, Ferrari have been fined $140,000 for the use of illegal 'team orders', and the FIA will be referring the case to its world motorsport council for further consideration.
