Ferrari's Fernando Alonso won a thrilling edition of the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, to claim his first victory in eight months.

Alonso survived a 51-minute rain delay and a tough challenge from Sauber's Sergio Perez, till the Mexican ran off the track with six laps remaining, giving the Ferrari driver enough room to hold on to his lead.

Ferrari has been in something of a crisis in recent times, after poor pre-season test times and a bad start to the season. However, some spectacular wet-weather driving by Alonso gave the Italian team one of its most memorable and unlikely victories in their history. Perez's second-place is Sauber's best finish ever. Lewis Hamilton of McLaren finished third, ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen.

Check out photos of all the action from Sunday...

McLaren Formula One driver Hamilton leads the pack on the first corner during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit
McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads the pack on the first corner during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur REUTERS
Mercedes Formula One driver Schumacher drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur
Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix REUTERS
Lotus F1 Formula One driver Raikkonen leads Sauber Formula One driver Kobayashi during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur
Lotus F1 Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland leads Sauber Formula One driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan REUTERS
McLaren Formula One driver Hamilton and team mate Button lead the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur
McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (L) of Britain and compatriot team mate Jenson Button lead the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix REUTERS
Sauber Formula One driver Perez drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur
Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix REUTERS
Ferrari Formula One driver Alonso leads Sauber Formula One driver Perez during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit
Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leads Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico REUTERS
Ferrari Formula One driver Alonso takes the checkered flag to win the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur
Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain takes the checkered flag to win the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit REUTERS
Sauber039s driver Perez, Ferrari039s driver Alonso and McLaren039s driver Hamilton celebrate during the podium ceremony following the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit
Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez (L) of Mexico, Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (C) of Spain and McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrate during the podium ceremony following the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur REUTERS