Fernando Alonso hails "fantastic race"

Fernando Alonso has said that today's Chinese Grand Prix was a "fantastic race" for Ferrari.

The Spaniard climbed from third on the grid to take his first win of the 2013 Formula 1 season in Shanghai.

Speaking on the podium after the race, the Spaniard said: "It was a fantastic race for us from the start to the end with no big problems on the car.

"The tyre degradation was better than we expected probably so we managed more or less the pace. It feels great.

"After the retirement in Malaysia we had some pressure to finish the race but the two races we finish this year, one second place and today the victory, so definitely the start of this 2013 campaign is looking good. We are very optimistic."

Alonso's Ferrari teammate, Felipe Massa, finished sixth.

Written by
Sian Cowper