They say wet weather is the ultimate equalizer in F1. That was clearly on display once again at a stormy Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur today. Fernando Alonso, in what even the Spaniard himself called an “uncompetitive” Ferrari, held off Sergio Perez to take victory in a remarkable Malaysian Grand Prix that saw changing weather, a long red flag and a sensational battle for P1 between two unlikely contenders.

Alonso’s victory vaulted Ferrari’s no. 1 driver into the World Championship lead, despite the team’s tough start to the season, but only a late error prevented Perez passing the two-time drivers champion to take what would have been one of Formula 1’s most surprising wins ever for Sauber.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium, with his McLaren teammate Jenson Button outside the points after a disastrous race. Sebastian Vettel also failed to score due to a clash in traffic, though his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber claimed fourth ahead of Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus) and Bruno Senna (Williams).

Fernando Alonso holds off Perez to win sensational Malaysian Grand Prix | AUTOSPORT.com.