Monte Carlo Formula 1: McLaren and Raikkonen win and bring title back to life

Nick Heidfeld, Martin Whitmarsh (CEO of McLaren), Kimi Raikkonen and mark Webber share the podium - for the Williams duo it was their best ever result in F1

Raikkonen was rushed into F1 well before many thought he was ready - he has now proven the doubters wrong. here he takes the flag at Monte Carlo

Raikkonen sprints away from the start with Fernando Alonso and the field close behind

Raikkonen was lucky this first lap braking indiscretion didn't flat spot his tyres and ruin what was otherwise a copybook drive.

Once again, Mark Webber dropped several places from his grid position on the run to the first corner - here he narrowly edges out his teammate Heidfeld with David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher in close company

The Toyota duo of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher had a poor race by the standards they have set so far this year

Raikkonen conquered Monte Carlo with a wickedly quick drive

Fernando Alonso streaks past the famous Hotel de Paris on his way to fourth place

Nick Heidfeld on the slow winding Monte Carlo circuit

Juan Pablo Montoya flashes past the Gucci boutique on his way to fifth place

A Panasonic Toyota skirts the waterfront construction site

A Panasonic Toyota skirts the waterfront construction site

The Panasonic Toyota of Jarno Trulli picks its way through Monte Carlo's narrow streets

Dutchman Robert Doornbos, Jordan's third driver, during practice

Jordan's Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan approaches the waterfront chicane in his Toyota-engined EJ15

Portugeuse driver Tiago Monteiro (POR) achieved his sixth finish in a row in Monte Carlo. Though he has yet to pick up points, he is showing excellent consistency

David Coulthard gets an inside wheel off the ground as he winds through the streets - he was very unfortunate to be shunted out of the event

Tiago Monteiro about to be lapped by Raikkonen

Jarno Trulli in action

Jarno Trulli with his son Enzo and wife Barbara

Jarno Trulli learning the circuit - no guesses for what he's driving

Trulli doing his homework

Fernando Alonso's drive was excellent under trying circumstance and he still brought home points to defend his lead

Alonso remains a short odds favourite for the title

Waiting for his turn in qualifying, Alonso secured his fourth front row grid position from six attempts this season

Alonso being hunted by the Williams of Webber and Heidfeld

The Ferrari crew rolls Michael Schumacher into the garage during practice - with 13 races to go in the season, expect Schumacher to shape the title even if he cannot claim it

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello is in an uncharacteristic eleventh place in the title with just nine points and two points finishes from six starts

Rubens Barrichello dropped from seventh to eighth in the final lap after waiting in a queue for most of the race

While Michael Schumacher is expected to have a much better second half to the season, Rubens Barrichello's seven wins have all come in the second half of the season

Giancarlo Fisichella got caught out by pitting at the wrong time and dropping out of contention - neither Renault enjoyed a good race considering the tyre problems

Giancarlo Fisichella in practice -

Former Williams driver Ricardo Patrese and Mark Webber discuss tactics. Webber now lies fourth in the title chase

In contrast to his team-mate, Nick Heidfeld has consistently finished higher than his grid position

Mark Webber can consistently pull a fast lap in qualifying - when his starts improve, he will take a leap forward in competitiveness

The Williams duo lie fourth and fifth in the title though neither are considered contenders for a win yet

Trulli, Webber, Heidfeld, Coulthard, Schumacher, Massa, Villeneuve and Barrichello in the early laps

Webber, Heidfeld, Coulthard and Michael Schumacher

Eva Padberg, the German supermodel, visiting the Williams pits

Fernando Alonso in qualifying with his Renault R25

Alonso on the Monte Carlo waterfront

The view from the harbour aboard the yacht of Alex Schnaider, owner of Jordan F1.