Spanish Grand Prix (2012) RESULT

Spanish Grand Prix (2012) Result

The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix is another muddled grid with Williams driver Pastor Maldonado on pole. Surely it can’t stay that way?

With yet another new pole sitter at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix – Pastor Maldonado in the Williams – there’s no question that the 2012 tyre deal is having a profound effect on F1; a playing field leveler, no doubt.

But being on pole is one thing. Actually taking that pole position and turning it in to a race win is another thing entirely. But that’s exactly what Pastor Maldonado has done to give Frank Williams the best birthday present he could hope for and Williams their first win since Juan Pablo Montoya stood atop the podium in 2004.

Maldonado drove convincingly, but his ultimate victory was as much due to Williams’ strategy as his driving, with Williams outwitting Ferrari and the chasing Alonso by pitting earlier after Maldonado had failed to pass Alonso who had beaten him to the first corner at the start.

The early pit stop by Willaims gave them a 6 second advantage over the Ferrari after Alonso pitted and, even though Alonso was up with Maldonado at the end, the Venezuelan held on for a terrific victory.

Raikkonen managed third place for Lotus with team mate Grosjean in fourth for another solid performance from Lotus. Kobayashi brough his Sauber home in 5th with Vettel in the Red Bull in 6th and Rosberg in the Mercedes 7th.

It was a poor day for McLaren with Hamilton in 8th and Button in 9th, although Hamilton drove a terrific race to come from the back of the grid after his penalty for running out of fuel in qualifying to take points. The final points scoring position was taken by Hulkenberg in the Force India.

But it was Williams day at Barcelona, and the win was perhaps the most popular win with the rest of the grid you will ever witness.

Frank is back.