Rubens Barrichello finished sixth for a more-competitive-than-expected Honda, but was excluded for leaving the pits when the lights were red following a dramatic final pit stop in which he was waved away with the fuel hose still attached.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Hamilton wins dramatic F1 opener

Alonso, who had the good fortune to come in for an early pit stop before the accident involving his Renault team-mate Piquet, drove peerlessly away after the second safety car delay, with Hamilton content to settle for third place.

CNN: Alonso wins after Massa pit stop drama