Alonso wins German GP

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has won the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim with Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) second and Jenson Button (McLaren) third.

Early potential for a grandstand finish never materialised as over the closing laps Alonso pulled away from Button, who in turn fell back into the clutches of Vettel.

It became only a matter of time as Vettel reclaimed second into the hairpin on the penultimate lap – the 66th – although he did run off the track to complete a move that is under investigation by the stewards.

Unlike at Silverstone and in Montreal when Alonso gave up the lead in the closing stages on fading tyres, there was no repeat in this instance.

Instead, Alonso duly took his third chequered flag of the season and is now 34 points clear in the championship standings ahead of Webber, who could only finish where he started – eighth.

Vettel is a further two points behind the Australian after taking second ahead of Button, whose third place means he has at least collected more points in this race than in the last six combined.

Behind the leading trio Raikkonen was fourth, followed by the Saubers of Kobayashi and Perez, with Schumacher seventh.

Behind Webber, Hulkenberg and Rosberg completed the top 10, with Di Resta just outside the points in 11th.