As has often been the case this year, the tires played a big part in the outcome of this Grand Prix. The Pirelli’s lasted well on some cars, but got ripped to shreds on others. The Mercedes cars, for example, know how to utilize the tires to maximum effect during qualifying, which resulted in them being on the front row of the grid. However, during the race the Mercs kept dropping back while the Ferraris, Lotus Renaults and Red Bulls came steaming by. In the end it was Fernando Alonso who got to raise his home flag for the win. [41 photos total]

Boom. Here’s another selection of some sport photos. Let them inspire you to take the stairs tomorrow. [36 photos total]

Loads of basketball, baseball and football in this week’s coolest photos in sports. [51 photos total]

The second race of the 2013 Formula One season was another exciting affair. Rain, heat and sunshine were all invited to the party and especially the rain played it’s part in shaping the start of the race with Alonso driving into the back of Vettel’s Red Bull. It meant the Ferrari driver had to retire from the race. Loads of tire changes and overtaking later Vettel was still leading but his team mate Webber was right behind him and the faster driver on the day. Red Bull, however, would not allow Mark to overtake Sebastian and a similar scenario was being played out between Hamilton in third and Rosberg in fourth. It meant a rather subdued podium and some much needed making up before the next race. [60 photos total]

The 41st Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race came to an end yesterday in Nome, Alaska. Mitch Seavey, 53, with his team of ten dogs, became the oldest musher ever to win the 1,000-mile race across the Alaskan wilderness in just over 9 days, 7 hours. Last year his son, Dallas, became he youngest winner at 25. His winnings included $50,000 and a new truck. The race is a remaking of the freight route to Nome which pays tribute to the role sled dogs played in the settlement of Alaska. [31 photos total]

The Formula One season kicked off in style in Australia this weekend. The new cars and drivers posed for photographs before showing the world who was hot and who was not, but not before torrential rains forced qualifying to be postponed to the morning of the race. The race saw a little bit of rain, but not enough to turn it upside down. After all the laps had been raced Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line first followed by Vettel and Alonso. [79 photos total]

This year, racers in the Dakar Rally are more than halfway through their 8,000-mile journey. They travel via motorcycle, quad bike, car, or truck over extreme terrain in three countries in South America. Competitors and support crews come from more than 50 countries to challenge their mechanical, driving, and orienteering skills. The race kicked off in Lima on Jan. 5 and will wrap up this Sunday with the podium celebrations in Santiago, Chile. [36 photos total]

Week 50 in sports bring loads of football and basketball pics. [28 photos total]

It was another week of great sports. Football, American Football, basketball, some tennis and other stuff. Don’t forget to check out our Top Sports Pictures Of 2012. [35 photos total]

I’ll be posting the Top 100 Sports Pictures of 2012 this week, but for now enjoy week 48′s batch. [31 photos total]