Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso thrilled his countrymen by winning his home race, the Formula One European Grand Prix at Valencia, Spain, becoming the first F1 driver to win more than one Grand Prix in 2012The win is the more notable because Alonso had a terrible day in qualifying and started 11th. The Ferrari driver got a boost from a timely safety car and the retirement of several rivals.
Alonso advanced through the retirement of Sebastian Vettel, whose Red Bull quit while leading on lap 34. Alonso inherited third, overtook Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, whose Lotus died several laps later, and managed to preserve his tires and his lead.
Lewis Hamilton pushed his McLaren too hard while chasing, and was then pushed into the tire barrier by Pastor Maldonado who hit Hamilton while pushing hard to pass the ill-handling McLaren.
Alonso got a huge boost in the standings, as all the other championship contenders dropped out before the finish.
“Winning a home grand prix is something unique—a very special feeling,” Alonso told the post-race press conference on BBC. “Very proud to be a Spanish sportsman—winning in Spain this race is probably the best victory I ever felt in terms of emotions.
Kimi Räikkönen of Lotus nearly became the eighth driver in eight races, pushing through the field in the closing laps, to finish second. Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher finished third, his first podium finish since coming back to F1 racing.
Next: Vettel Escapes
