Raikkonen wins Japanese Grand Prix thriller
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-09 16:02

MONTOYA CRASH

The afternoon, with bright sunshine, turned into a show of strength from a team fighting a rearguard action after heavy rain in Saturday qualifying wrecked their hopes of starting from the front.

They suffered a further blow after one lap when Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the winner in Brazil, piled into the tyre barrier.

The incident, which stewards placed under investigation with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve also seemingly involved, brought out the safety car for seven laps as marshals cleared Montoya's wrecked car from the edge of the track.

In an action-packed race, BAR's Japanese driver Takuma Sato also prompted a stewards' investigation after colliding with the Toyota of Italian Jarno Trulli while Alonso twice had to overtake Schumacher's Ferrari.

Raikkonen stayed out of trouble, but only just.

The Finn said he and Montoya touched rear tyres at the first corner as the Colombian muscled through.

"Hopefully we can still win the championship for the team, we just have to see what happens," said Raikkonen.

The lead changed hands repeatedly during the race, with Ralf at the front until he pitted on lap 13.

That allowed Fisichella, who had passed Button at the start, to take the lead until lap 21 when he refuelled and handed over briefly to the Briton.

"I am a little bit disappointed, but I did my best," said Fisichella.

"I knew Kimi was quick and catching up. I was pushing 100 percent but he was much quicker than me on the main straight."