Kimi Raikkonen today finally revealed the worst kept secret in Formula One, that he is a race winner. After only two full seasons in the top flight, he won this afternoos Malaysian Grand Prix with a consummate display of cool headed driving and delicate car control.

Rubens Barrichello finished second, an excellent result as he endured a difficult opening lap and Fernando Alonso converted yesterdas pole position to give him his first ever podium finish. Ralf Schumacher finished fourth, 13 places higher than where he started. Trulli drove passionately in the searing heat to finish fifth, ahead of Michael Schumacher who finished sixth after a torrid hour or so in Malaysia.

'The high temperatures at this circuit ask much from the Shell Helix oil in the Ferrari engine and whilst Ferrari was unlucky today, we are happy to see both cars finish strongly and well on the pace with no mechanical problems,' said Mike Copson of Shell Global Solutions. 'A great result for Rubens who drove brilliantly to finish second and wonderful debut win for Kimi (Raikkonen) and Ferrari is still well placed in the Championship. After all despite the varying fuel loads of other teams, the new Shell fuel in the car still powered Michael to the fastest lap of the race, faster than last yeas time. Work on the F2003-GA is going well and we are looking forward to its introduction.'

From the moments the lights went out, the action came thick and fast. Giancarlo Fisichella was left on the grid, and Michael Schumacher, Antonio Pizzonia, Juan Pablo Montoya and Justin Wilson were all involved in incidents in a very busy Turn Three. World Champion Schumacher touched Jarno Trulli whilst racing with David Coulthard and in doing so, damaged his Ferrars front end. In the melee that resulted, both Ferrari cars were delayed and lost track position.

The spors youngest ever pole-sitter, Fernando Alonso made a clean getaway however and set about establishing a lead in his Renault followed hard by David Coulthard. With such a frantic start, the race order after one lap was surprising: Alonso, Coulthard, Heidfeld, Raikkonen, Button and Barrichello.

Coulthars challenge was short lived, his McLaren expired early in the race on Lap 2. Within two laps, more Formula One stars found themselves loosing touch with the race leaders. Montoya pitted for a new rear wing and Schumacher pulled into the Ferrari pit for a new front nose, fuel and tyres. It was to be one of four trips to the pit lane for the German who was penalised for his role in the starting incident a few laps later and had to serve a drive through penalty on Lap 5. Schumacher rejoined the race in14th

The quick starting-Renault was soon to pit too. Having qualified well, Alsono had to pit on Lap 15 for fuel. This handed the lead of the race to Kimi Raikkonen who led a recovering Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button.

The race finally then began to adopt the rhythm of Formula One Grand Prix. Teams brought their drivers in for scheduled stops, although the race was not without drama. Sauber fought hard with two long pit stops, Toyota lost Olivier Pani car to technical problems as did Jaguar with Mark Webbes car.

However, as pit stops came and went, the race was beginning to come alive. Ralf Schumacher, who had started in 17th was up to fourth position, Jarno Trulli who, having spun in the muddle at the start, was back in fifth. Rubens Barrichello was mixing it at the front in third, but crowds at Sepang were being treated to another slice of Schumacher magic. Having been lapped earlier in the race, and running as low as 14th, the German was attacking. With 15 laps to go, Schumacher came behind Trulls Renault for the second time in the afternoon and passed him, pausing only momentarily before despatching the BAR of Jenson Button before pitting once again moving him to 7th.

All was not over however. As Trulli and Button continued their struggle, Trulli spun turning into the last corner. Button was released, but Schumacher saw his opportunity and charged down hard on the recovering Italian. Although the three held station and all was looked to be set, Buttos BAR slowed dramatically on the last lap, gifting Trulli and Schumacher one place each. Agony for the young Brit, but a grateful Trulli and Schumacher benfitted. Behind Button, Nick Heidlfeld rounded out the point finishes.

So Raikkonen wins his first race and the paddock will welcome the victory of this popular young Finn.