Fernando Alonso rewrote the Formula One record books on a day when the fight for this year's world title developed into an even more enthralling three-way scrap.
In winning his first grand prix at 22 years and 26 days, the Spaniard became the youngest driver to take the chequered flag, eclipsing the mark set by Troy Ruttman in May 1952, with the American 54 days older.
Alonso led from start to finish as Renault also celebrated their first victory of the season, although more significantly it was the drama which unfolded behind him which means just two points separate the top three drivers in the world-title chase.
Five-times champion Michael Schumacher again saw his lead cut, with Juan Pablo Montoya now breathing down his neck just a point adrift and Kimi Raikkonen a further point back going into the last three races of the season in Italy, America and Japan.
McLaren star Raikkonen drove a steady 70-lap race round the Hunagaroring track to take the runners-up spot, but for Montoya it was another hair-raising afternoon.
But for a woeful start, the Colombian could easily have tonight been leading the world championship, although he may also have been out of it as he managed to keep his Williams-BMW on the track eight laps from home following a spin.
Montoya and team-mate Ralf Schumacher, on the dirty side of the circuit and in fourth and second respectively, suffered once the five red lights disappeared to signal the start of the race.
A lack of grip and then racing line into turn one saw the two Williams-BMW drivers slip down the field, with Schumacher bumped off the track at turn two by the Jordan of Giancarlo Fisichella.
As the Toyota of Cristiano da Matta had failed to make it off the grid, Schumacher returned to the circuit 19th and last at that stage, only to then mount a remarkable charge through the field to eventually take fourth.
But now 14 points adrift of his brother, Ralf's title hopes have further receded, while Montoya can see the crown after his car again held the edge over the Ferrari. Michael Schumacher was dogged all afternoon by a failure to get past the likes of McLaren's David Coulthard and Jarno Trulli's Renault at various stages, resulting in eighth place and a solitary point.
It was Scot Coulthard who eventually took fifth, with the Jaguar of Mark Webber - who had pounced into second off the grid and then proceeded to hold up the field as Alonso sped away - in sixth, followed by Trulli.
For Williams-BMW, they now lead the constructors' championship for the first time this season by eight points ahead of Ferrari whose dominance continues to recede.
The Italian marque were not helped by a frightening incident involving Rubens Barrichello, who had started the day 22 points adrift of team-mate Schumacher, and who saw his faint title hopes disappear at the start of lap 20. Powering down the lengthened pit straight, and on the fastest part of the circuit, the left-rear tyre of Barrichello's car flew off.
The 31-year-old then performed heroics in preventing the Ferrari from flying across the track and although careering nose first into the tyre wall at turn one, was able to apply enough brake to ensure he walked away without injury. McLaren remain in the hunt for the constructors' title - they are 14 points off Williams - with the season poised for its most thrilling climax for years.