If the objective of all this was to introduce uncertainty and drama it certainly succeeded. Raikkonen had a wishbone break in the first session, so that was him last on the grid. The consequent red flag period meant that there was a mad scramble by most of the field to get a lap in. Ralf Schumacher also dropped out, the start of an absolutely abysmal weekend for the huge-spending Toyota team. His team mate Trulli was out too after the second session along with Couthard (Red Bull-Ferrari) Villeneuve (BMW-Sauber), GP debutantes Nico Rosberg (Williams-Cosworth) and American Scott Speed, together with his Scuderia Toro Rosso team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi.

The STRs were actually great value all weekend, blasting round with their reliable restricted Cossie V10s and proven RB1 clone chassis. They finished 11th and 13th in the race, so expect massive moaning from the slower V8 teams and possibly a smaller 'ole in the hairbox soon.

At the end of all this Schuey took his 65th pole, equaling Ayrton Senna's record and Massa was second in his first race for Ferrari. This was just the job for the race as Schuey got away fastest and Massa closed-off Alonso, who had jumped Button, the Tim Henman-esque Briton later complaining of a clutch problem. Alonso disposed of Massa in Turn 4 on Lap 1 and set off after Schuey. Further down the grid Rosberg tangled with Heidfeld (BMW-Sauber) and had to pit for a new nose, so that seemed like it for the GP2 Champion, but it wasn't to be. Kimi Raikkonen was up to 13th at the end of Lap 1, the start of a momentous climb through the field.

Massa outbraked himself going into Turn 1 on Lap 7 and had a huge spin, narrowly missing Alonso. He lost a lot of time in the pits when one of the air guns wouldn't work and that was it. A hint towards the outcome of the race came with 48 laps to go when Alonso's engineer was heard to say over the team radio "One or two tenths to be safe from Michael", which suggests that they'd got it well sussed. Schuey stopped first and Alonso four laps later. MS stopped for the second time on Lap 36 and we heard "These are winning laps" on Radio Renault.

Alonso stopped three laps later and it was high drama to see if he would come out still in front, or whether the German would pass him. Alonso fed back onto the track and the two were neck-and-neck. Schuey would probably have intimidated a lesser driver into giving him the place, but Alonso was having none of it and used his elbows to hang onto the lead. And that was it; Alonso taking the win from Schuey, who nonetheless expressed himself delighted. However it looks like he could have won if he'd not lost that vital 2.75kg of fuel in qualifying, though to be fair Alonso was held up by traffic on his "winning laps".

Next to finish was the other of the best three drivers, Raikkonen one-stopping to a stunning third place, which makes you wonder what would have happened if he hadn't had to start from the back. Button was a disappointed fourth for Honda; he and Rubens lost time racing each other early on before the latter was hobbled by losing third gear. Button made some great moves, twice outbraking Montoya into Turn One, though it was later claimed that the Colombian's Mercedes engine was playing up. Certainly Button could do nothing to get back at Raikkonen after he was passed for third whilst making made his second stop, where he was held up by one of the dismal Toyotas, which apparently could just not get their Bridgestones up to temperature.

Montoya finished ahead of Webber (Williams), whose team mate Rosberg recovered from his first lap accident to come home an incredible 7th and take two points in his first GP. His was a fantastic drive, setting the fastest lap and racing the wheels off everyone he encountered, including a great dice with the hugely experienced Coulthard and passing Klien for seventh on the last-but-one lap; he had a lot of offs, but for me was still "Man of the Meeting". Klien took the final point in a good race for Red Bull.

All in all a most enjoyable race with some good racing, good in-car stuff and above all a great result for Schuey. Massa was quick at times, but his wild streak betrayed him, however his moves in defence of his leader at the start of the race were most promising. Unfortunately an problem means a engine change for Malaysia and a ten spot drop down the grid, the same is true for Couthard, which is slightly worrying.

As I write, the action at the Malaysian GP is already underway. I don't know whether Winston will be back to report on it, but I can reveal there is one factor he did not take account of in his pre-season analysis. Honda have signed Murray Walker to assist with race hospitality, obviously "The Curse of Murray" still works!

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Class of '06

The Fazza Garage

Schuey was surprised and delighted to take pole

"Massa of Arabia" took second on the grid on his Ferrari debut

Raikkonen's wishbone did not bring him good luck

That's more like it!

I thought Martini sponsored Ferrari...

Nico Rosberg made a brilliant debut - here with the unfortunate Barrichello

Disappointing weekend for Button after pre-season promise, but he still beat Pablo

Schuey had to give way to Alonso

Sato brought it home for Super Aguri, a great achievement for all concerned

MS - happy to be back on the podium

Best three drivers in the world

FIA lap chart

pics by Ferrari Media, FIA, Reuters, XPB, LAT & Sutton