McLaren 1-2 in Turkey as Red Bulls collide

Lewis Hamilton has clinched his first win of the 2010 season after a dramatic Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park. The McLaren driver, who challenged for the lead all race long, was promoted to the top spot when Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel sensationally collided at Turn 12. It was a scintillating day in Turkey on Sunday as Formula 1 was given what was, without doubt, the best Grand Prix at Istanbul Park since the venue joined the calendar in 2005. Although the crowd was not vast, those who did turn up were able to enjoy air temperatures in the high twenties as a threat of rain translated to no more than several drops. There were worries at Red Bull prior to the race as both cars' roll bars were changed following problem, particularly for Vettel, in qualifying. At Virgin Racing, Lucas di Grassi was forced to start from the pit lane following rapid repairs for an oil leak which was discovered shortly before the 3pm start. A clear start for pole man Webber allowed the Australian to retain his lead as Vettel - in his 50th F1 race - stole second from Hamilton around the outside of Turn 1; however, the McLaren driver immediately snatched the position back after running side-by-side with the German through the third and fourth corners. Behind, 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher took fourth away from Jenson Button although the current title holder repassed the Mercedes at Turn 12 at the end of the lap; the latter held fifth for the majority of the race, dropping some 25 seconds off the leading quarter who stayed glued together. After making a mistake in qualifying on Saturday, Fernando Alonso lost a place to compatriot Pedro de la Rosa off the start but was able to retake the Sauber on Lap 2, remaining in twelfth before the pit-stops. Having been stuck behind Kamui Kobayashi's Sauber, which scored a respectable point after holding off de la Rosa and Jaime Alguersuari in the late stages, Alonso later seized his finishing place of eighth from Vitaly Petrov's Renault on Lap 55, passing on the outside of Turn 3 as contact punctured the Renault's right-front tyre. At the front, Hamilton continued to pile the pressure on Webber, attempting several exciting passing manoeuvres at Turns 1 and 12 in the opening laps, although the Englishman crucially fell back behind Vettel after suffering a left-rear wheel problem during his stop. Button led briefly, setting fastest laps in the interim, although he rejoined fourth as the top four ran in the same shot until the infamous Lap 41 moment. With rain having already been a threat for 20 laps, the first spots began to appear on camera lenses as Vettel enjoyed a strong run out of Turn 10, challenging Webber on the outside of 11. However, the German's car began to move fractionally right in the braking zone, going sideways and spearing into the side of Webber before heading into retirement via a triple spin, just missing Webber again as the Australian took to the outside and across the run-off area in front of his out-of-control team-mate. Meantime, Hamilton dived through into the lead, followed by Button, as Webber rejoined third and just over seven seconds ahead of Schumacher following a precautionary pit-stop. Despite a minor touch, McLaren set an example for Red Bull The Red Bull coming together is likely to run on for several days, not least as Vettel was seen making 'crazy' gestures with his finger whilst heading back to the paddock on foot, furiously shunning reporters before sharing his views minutes later. Just seven laps after the crash, the McLarens engaged in their own tussle as Button brilliantly took the lead from Hamilton on the outside of Turn 12, running wide into 13 but confirming the top spot on the inside of the final corner; off-line again, however, Hamilton was able to grab the lead back at Turn 1 as the pair came into contact. With several heartbeats missed in the pit lane, the drivers then held position until the end of the 58-lap race, crossing the finish line two and a half seconds apart. With a dejected Webber on the podium, Schumacher equalled his 2010 best result of fourth, ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica's Renault and the two Ferraris - with Alonso managing to fight from 12th to an ultimate eighth in the team's 800th Grand Prix. Adrian Sutil came home ninth for Force India, ahead of the content Kobayashi, although both the Lotus and Hispania teams were saddened to experience double retirements - on the same lap, in the former's case - in a race when all cars lasted until at least the halfway point. McLaren's third win, second 1-2 result of the season - and Hamilton's first race victory since Singapore last year - sees McLaren retake the advantage in the Constructors' Championship in a week which marks 40 years since the death of team founder Bruce McLaren.