Defending drivers world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain admitted he was lucky that he was helped by the arrival of a safety car to beat Michael Schumacher in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Alonso finished in second place at the Istanbul Speed Park ahead of his nearest title rival Schumacher, who had to settle for third despite looking faster than Alonso for most of the weekend.
Schumacher's hopes of a 90th career win were effectively wrecked by the intervention of the safety car on lap 14 when Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa of Brazil, who went on to claim his maiden victory, was leading.
Schumacher was then second and Alonso further back in third.
Schumacher was forced to wait in line for a pit-stop giving Alonso his chance to 'leapfrog' him during the pit-stops.
The two title contenders were nose to tail over the closing laps, with seven-time champion Schumacher doing his best to force a way past and the 25-year-old Spaniard repelling every effort.
Schumacher crossed the finish line just half a car's length behind Alonso.
"We were lucky with the safety car and overtook Michael," admitted Alonso.
"Then I managed to pull away a little bit. I was light on fuel in the second stint and Michael went wide on Turn Eight and the gap increased three or four seconds and that was the key to maintain the second place after the second stop.
"The last 15 laps were very close and I managed to finish in front by half a car, enough to be second.
"I am very happy in a way and I am not too happy that we were not able to win. In the whole race Felipe was able to pull away and for sure we need to improve something for the next race."
Second place stretched Alonso's overall lead to 12 points with four races remaining.
Although Schumacher had the faster car and looked ready to pass Alonso for several laps, the Spaniard claimed he was confident of keeping the German at bay.
"To be honest I was confident," he said. "I was playing with the revs and the engine a little bit, down and up depending on the distance with Michael.
"At the last corner I closed the door in case he tried a risky manoeuvre and covered myself there and in the line the distance was very close but I knew that was enough."
Alonso's Renault team-mate Italian Giancarlo Fisichella spun on the opening lap, but finished sixth.
He said: "In the end, it was a good race for me and I showed today that I was quick, and the car was too. I got a good start and was close to the guys in front.
"Michael was weaving quite a lot on the track and the other drivers were having to avoid him.
"I braked quite late, but there was the risk of a collision with Fernando, so I braked even harder which locked the rears and put me in a spin.
"After the pit-stop to replace the nose, it was a case of pushing hard and making up as many positions as I could. The safety car helped but I overtook a lot of people out there this afternoon.
"We did some very long stints on the tyres with a one-stop strategy, and they held up really well. Our performance was closer to Ferrari today than in qualifying, and I think we can be reasonably confident for the next races."