Renault's Fernando Alonso goes into the race in pole having put in a stunning display in qualifying at Sepang

The drivers face punishing conditions in front of the packed stands, as the on-track temperature climbs into the 40s

BAR's Jenson Button and rookie team-mate Anthony Davidson both retire after engine failure, Button after only three laps

Fernando Alonso dominates the race from pole, with second-placed Jarno Trulli of Renault hot on his heels early on

Trulli's team-mate Ralf Schumacher is also vying for points, finishing fifth behind Nick Heidfeld and Juan Pablo Montoya

Racing for Red Bull, David Couthard finishes sixth to overtake Nigel Mansell as Britain's highest points scorer in Formula One

But Spaniard Alonso never relinquishes the lead, finishing 24.3 seconds in front of Toyota's Jarno Trulli

Italian Trulli, who was team-mate to Alonso at Renault last season, secures second for Toyota, their first podium place

23-year-old Alonso, who yearns to win the drivers' title before Michael Schumacher retires, celebrates his win in style