Lewis Hamilton was back on top of the podium after claiming his first victory since October's Chinese Grand Prix.
The world champion took the chequered flag in a Hungarian Grand Prix overshadowed by Felipe Massa's accident in qualifying on Saturday that left the Brazilian in hospital with a fractured skull.
The victory was Hamilton's 10th for McLaren from 45 starts, with the 24-year-old finally back in business after a first half of the season to forget.Behind the Briton, Kimi Raikkonen gave Ferrari something to cheer about as he finished second, although he could yet be stripped of that position following a first-corner collision with Sebastian Vettel.
Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber finished third, closing the gap at the top of the championship standings to 18.5 points on Jenson Button who could only manage a season-low seventh in his Brawn GP.
Pole sitter Fernando Rossi saw his race come to a cruel end on lap 13 when, exiting the pit lane, it was abundantly clear the double world champion had an issue with his right front wheel.
Within seconds, and as he slipped backwards through the field, Alonso initially lost the wheel cover but more horrifyingly, and as he continued to tour around the track, the tyre eventually worked its way loose off the rim and bounced across the circuit and into a barrier before coming to rest along the side of the circuit.
As if that was not enough drama, Webber later came within inches of colliding with Raikkonen as he emerged onto the pit lane after they had both stopped for fuel and fresh rubber for the first time.