Finland's Kimi Raikkonen took his first F1 career victory in today's Malaysian Grand Prix, the McLaren driver producing a strong performance and running a good two stop strategy to finish ahead of Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and the Renault of pole-sitter Fernando Alonso.  The second round of the World Championship was no less thrilling than the first, Ferrari once again tripping up when Michael Schumacher made an untypical error and the rise of new talent being illustrated not only by the podium finishers but also by Ralph Firman's good drive into 10th place for Jordan Ford during which he battled hard with several highly experienced drivers.

The 56 lap race was incident-packed even before the start, Christiano da Matta being forced to start the race from the pits in his Toyota, Jacques Villeneuve's BAR unable to get away due to a suspected gearbox problem and Jordan Ford's Giancarlo Fisichella stranded on the grid after appearing to mis-align his car - possibly due to the unexpected absense of Villeneuve who was supposed to be in front of him - then reverse into position and fail to move at the start.  (See team bulletin and quotes for details).

Once the red lights went out 21 year old Alonso, the first Spanish driver in the history of F1 to claim pole position, made an impeccable getaway to lead comfortably, but behind him there was mayhem with World Champion Michael Schumacher colliding with the second Renault of Jarno Trulli at Turn 2 and Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams being attacked from behind by Antonio Pizzonia's Jaguar.  Schumi knocked Trulli into a spin and caused Barrichello to almost stop on the track, dropping the Brazilian well back.  It was a disaster for Schumacher, though, as he had to stop for a new nose cone and was later forced back into the pits to take a penalty for causing the accident.

With Alonso out in front it seemed that second placed David Coulthard, his McLaren carrying more fuel than the Renault, was in great shape to challenge for his second win of the season, but his car let him down after only two laps and he was a frustrated retirement.  From then on the race was primarily about the fuel strategies which had been decided before Saturday qualifying, Alonso having to pit early and take on a lot of fuel which cost him time and Raikkonen taking advantage of this to move into the lead.  Barrichello recovered well to overhaul the strategy-handicapped Alonso and take second place, while Ralf Schumacher was a good fourth after keeping out of trouble, compensating for his poor qualifying.

His brother Michael finished sixth behind Trulli in spite of no fewer than four visits to the pits, Trulli surviving an incident filled day which included not only the accident with Schumacher but also a spin while challenging Jensen Button's BAR.  Button was seventh, although he lost two places on the final lap as he appeared to slow, while Nick Heidfeld claimed the final point for Sauber.

The race was marked by several exciting battles, notably between Ralph Firman's Jordan Ford and the Renault of Trulli when Firman rose to 6th position prior to making his first pit stop.  Under intense pressure Firman held his own and he also proved his worth in race battles by holding out against both Da Matta and later Heinz-Harald Frenzten, though the German just pipped him at the finish.