Mar.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel extended his runaway championship lead on Sunday despite intense pressure from Lewis Hamilton.

The German, who finished less than a second ahead of McLaren't Hamilton at the flag in Barcelona, ended the race 41 points ahead after just 5 races.

"McLaren were very strong, Lewis in particular," said the Red Bull driver, after Hamilton's late-race challenge in the surprisingly fast MP4-26.

The 'DRS' system was less effective this weekend than at previous events, but the 66-lap race was still exciting, particularly after Ferrari's Fernando Alonso led at the start to the delight of his home crowd.

"(P1) isn't our position at the moment. There are clearly two teams ahead of everybody and at the moment we need to change the situation," said Alonso.

Meanwhile, pole sitter Mark Webber (4th), Hamilton and Jenson Button (3rd) are under investigation by the stewards for failing to slow for yellow flags during the race.

"Let's see what they say," Button said on British television BBC1.

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