Alonso pleased with team effort

Fernando Alonso praised his team after he held off the challenge of Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button to win the German Grand Prix.

The Ferrari man became the first driver to pick up three race victories this season and he extended his championship lead to 34 points. Alonso drove a steady race and did just enough to hold off the chasing pack. Button moved from sixth on the grid to pass Vettel at the second pit stops but was re-passed with two laps to go. However, the Englishman was promoted to second place after Vettel was handed a 20-second penalty for an illegal overtake of Button on the penultimate lap. Lewis Hamilton retired with gearbox damage following an early puncture. "It was tough, not an easy race. Maybe we were not the quickest in dry conditions but we were competitive and it was enough to maintain the lead," said Alonso. "Great strategy calls from the team to keep me ahead through the pit stops. I knew it would be a long race to the end, with Jenson putting pressure. "But the car was feeling good on top speed and traction and that was enough to keep the lead into Turn 6, and after that overtaking is not so easy."