F1: Standings after Korean Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso celebrates his superb victory in the inaugural Korean GP.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Fernando Alonso takes over at the top of the Formula One world title race
The Spaniard leads Mark Webber of Australia by 11 points
The Red Bulls of Webber and Sebastian Vettel failed to finish in Korea
Red Bull see lead in constructors' standings over McLaren cut to 27 points

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(CNN) -- Fernando Alonso is in pole position in the Formula One title race after his dramatic victory in the inaugural Korean Grand Prix on Sunday.

Alonso was triumphant after Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire while leading the race with nine laps to go.

A win for Vettel would have seen him take over at the top of the standings from his teammate Mark Webber, who led the championship going into the race at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam.

Webber crashed out on lap 19 to lose his title lead to Alonso, while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finished second to revive his slender title hopes.

Alonso triumphs as Red Bulls fail to finish

Alonso leads Webber by 11 points with two rounds remaining of an exciting title race with Hamilton in third place, 21 points adrift and Vettel fourth, another four points further back.

Reigning champion Jenson Button could only finish 12th in Korea in his McLaren to see his hope of defending his crown all but disappear.

Red Bull's misfortune sees McLaren cut the race in the constructors' title race to 27 points with Ferrari improving in third after Felipe Massa claimed the final podium place in Korea.

Drivers' Championship (after 17 rounds):

1. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 231 points

2. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 220

3. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren 210

4. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull 206

5. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren 189

6. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 143

7 Robert Kubica (Pol) Renault 124

8 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 122

9. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes 66

10. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Williams 47

Constructors' Championship: