Double world champion Fernando Alonso celebrated an emphatic victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with British rookie Lewis Hamilton second to hand McLaren their first one-two finish since 2005.
The win, McLaren's first since October 2005, sent the Spaniard into the championship lead with 18 points to Kimi Raikkonen's 16 for Ferrari.
Former McLaren driver Raikkonen, who dominated the season-opening Grand Prix in Australia on his Ferrari debut, finished third ahead of BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld in fourth.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who started on pole position, could manage no better than fifth after skidding onto the grass while trying to pass Hamilton early in the race.
Alonso, who left Renault for Mercedes-powered McLaren at the end of last season after winning the last two titles, was full of praise for his 'perfect' new team.
'We did it, fantastic job, you deserve it, thank you so much,' the 25-year-old gasped on the team radio as he crossed the line.
Team boss Ron Dennis was equally delighted on a perfect day for McLaren, with Hamilton fending off Raikkonen with the confidence of a veteran in the closing stages.
'I'm so pleased for you,' he told Alonso on the radio, which caused the team some anxious moments when it stopped working during the champion's first stint.
'Lewis (Hamilton) was P2 so he took a few valuable points from yours truly (Raikkonen).'
Alonso squeezed up the inside of Massa at the first corner to take the lead from second place on the grid while Hamilton forced his way past both Ferraris in another breathtaking start for the Briton.
Massa turned on the pressure for several laps before the costly error.
After Massa fell down the order, Hamilton was then made to sweat before he could take his second podium place in only his second grand prix.
He had run out of water half way through the hottest race of the year and Raikkonen was reeling him in over the last gruelling laps.
'That was the most difficult race I've ever had,' declared Formula One's first black driver.
'I think to see two Ferraris behind you, two red blobs in the mirrors and knowing that they are slightly lighter and quicker than you, it's very difficult to keep them behind.
'Felipe had a couple of moves but fortunately I was able to trick him into outbraking himself.'
Click here to view the Malaysian Grand Prix's final standings
