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Less than 24 hours after Spain had secured their place in the semi-finals at Euro 2012, the two-time drivers’ champion gave his home fans in Valencia more reason to celebrate. Alonso, who drove a superb race from 11th on the grid, said: “I can’t express in words my feeling at the moment, to win my home grand prix is a unique feeling, and with the football I’m feeling proud to be Spanish right now.”
Alonso, who picked up a Spanish flag to wave on his victorious slowing down lap, came home first ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus and third-placed seven-time champion Michael Schumacher (43), of Mercedes.
In a dramatic finale, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren crashed out after a final lap collision with Pastor Maldonado of Williams, an incident that hoisted Schumacher into the top three to make him the oldest podium finisher since Australian Jack Brabham, in 1970, when he was 44.
Defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull was forced to retire after dominating most of the race from pole position as also was his nearest challenger, Romain Grosjean of Lotus.
Mark Webber, who started 19th, came home fourth for Red Bull ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Nico Rosberg who was sixth for Mercedes.
Alonso now leads the drivers’ standings on 111 points, from Webber on 91, Hamilton on 88 and Vettel four points further adrift in fourth.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was ecstatic and said: “It was an unbelievable race and, for me, it is important that we kept the pace.
“Our main competitors lost some important points and I am very happy for Fernando, it was an incredible performance. Yesterday was not easy for us, but it’s great for us today (yesterday).”
Vettel, who retired on lap 35, said: “We don’t know what happened yet.
“I lost drive and then the engine stalled and the car switched off. We don’t know what the problem is.”
Results
1. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) 1hr 44min 16.649sec, 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus) at 6.421s, 3. Michael Schumacher (GER/Mercedes) 12.639, 4. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull) 13.628, 5. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Force India) 19.993, 6. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India) 22.866, 7. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 21.176, 8. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren Mercedes) 24.653, 9. Sergio Perez (MEX/Sauber) 27.777, 10. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams) 34.630, 11. Bruno Senna (BRA/Williams) 35.961, 12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso) 37.041, 13. Vitaly Petrov (RUS/Caterham) 1:15.800, 14. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham) 1:34.600, 15. Charles Pic (FRA/Marussia) 1:36.500. — AFP.
Online Reporter