FUJI SPEEDWAY, Japan, Oct 12, 2008 (AFP) - Renault's Fernando Alonso led at the halfway stage of the Japan Grand Prix Sunday, with championship leader Lewis Hamilton 14th and his chief rival Felipe Massa 12th.

Hamilton started the 67-lap race from pole position but his McLaren made contact with Massa's Ferrari on lap two at the chicane and the Briton spun.

He returned to the pits and Hamilton's day went from bad to worse when he was given a drive through penalty for forcing Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen wide at the start.

Brazil's Massa was also penalised for the Hamilton collision.

The drama opened the door to BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, who started sixth on the grid, and he took full advantage.

The Pole went into the pits while leading on lap 17 and Singapore Grand Prix winner Alonso found himself in front.

After 33 laps, Spain's Alonso led Kubica, Raikkonon, and Mark Webber in a Red Bull.

McLaren's day took another hit when Heikki Kovalainen's car rolled to a halt when he was in fourth place.

Other retirements included both Force India cars, driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil, David Coulthard in his Red Bull and Toyota's Timo Glock.