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Fernando Alonso wins German GP, eyes championship

Fernando Alonso moved closer to his first Formula One season championship by winning the German Grand Prix on Sunday as his nearest challenger, Kimi Raikkonen, was forced out with another breakdown.

Raikkonen started from the pole and led comfortably until the 36th lap of the 67-lap race, when his McLaren-Mercedes stopped on the track with hydraulic problems.

Alonso's Renault was followed by McLaren-Mercedes' Juan Pablo Montoya, who started from the back of the grid but charged back to finish second, ahead of Jenson Button in a BAR-Honda.

It was a near-victory for Montoya, who started from last after crashing in Saturday qualifying.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Alonso's Renault teammate, was fourth ahead of defending champion Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari. Schumacher surged to third at the start, but dropped back to fifth -- his starting spot on the grid.

Alonso turns 24 on Friday and is on course to become the youngest champion in Formula One history. But he's being cautious, knowing Raikkonen's car is the quickest -- when it's running.

"He [Raikkonen] has the best car and we have to be careful," Alonso said. "There are still 70 points to race but if we keep finishing races, it will be difficult for him."

By collecting 10 points for his sixth victory of the season, Alonso has 87 points, followed by Raikkonen (51) and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher (47), who finished fifth. There are seven races remaining.
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