Australian Mark Webber's disappointing season took a turn for the better when he finished third in a controversial and eventful European Grand Prix at Nurburgring behind second placed Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

It was Webber's first podium finish since Monaco in 2005, completing a fruitful day for his team Red Bull, whose other driver David Coulthard claimed fifth.

However, all the post-race talk focused on a war of words in the corridor on the way to the podium between Alonso and runner-up Felipe Massa, who were involved in a thrilling late duel at the German track.

The defining moment of a race dominated by torrential rain at the start - and which led to a 22-minute delay after it had been red-flagged for safety reasons - came on lap 55.

It was wheel-to-wheel racing between Alonso and Massa, with the Brazilian in his Ferrari and the Spaniard in his McLaren touching at one stage.

The reigning double world champion just managed to hold sway to take the lead and the chequered flag for his 18th career victory and third this year for McLaren.

In the post-race heat, Alonso seemingly claimed Massa deliberately hit him, a comment which prompted an angry response and a lot of finger pointing.

It is not the first time the duo has clashed this season. They exchanged words following a first-corner incident at the Spanish Grand Prix.

On this occasion at least Alonso was humble, but then he had cause to be as he had just taken 10 points.

"It [the overtaking manoeuvre] was so close," said the Spaniard, who now trails team-mate Hamilton by two points in the title race after the young Briton could only finish ninth.

"We touched each other two times, and I apologise to him [Massa] because I was so stressed when I finished a race we nearly didn't finish."

"I was not too happy at the end of the race because we touched each other, but I've nothing against him."

"On the podium, I realised this is motor racing. If I said something to him, I apologise in front of everybody, so I want to enjoy the win and forget everything."

Massa was understandably fuming with Alonso's comment.

"I was really surprised when he came to say I did that on purpose - I would never do something like that on purpose," he said.

"Like I said in Barcelona, that was normal, here was normal. It's going to be like that." Sportal

In Italian: Nurburgring, trionfa Alonso Massa 2°, Raikkonen fuori

Incredibile GP d'Europa: una pioggia tremenda ha causato la sospensione della gara che è poi ripresa con la Safety-car. Lo spagnolo ha sorpassato Felipe nel finale. Raikkonen ritirato, Hamilton 9°.

E’ Fernando Alonso il trionfatore di un incredibile GP d’Europa. Lo spagnolo della McLaren ha vinto la decima prova del Mondiale al termine di una gara pazzesca, martoriata da scrosci d’acqua che hanno rimescolato più volte classifica e situazioni. Il due volte iridato è stato il più freddo e determinato. Come a metà gara quando non si è scoraggiato per il vantaggio che Felipe stava accumulando. E come nel finale quando a cinque giri dalla bandiera a scacchi ha approfittato di un nuovo acquazzone e dopo il cambio di gomme ha attaccato e infilato la Ferrari di Felipe Massa, fino a quel momento perfetto.

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