Alonso First Repeat Winner

Fernando Alonso (5) leads Kimi Räikkönen during Sunday's European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. (Steve Etherington Photo)

VALENCIA, Spain – Fernando Alonso became the first driver to earn his second Formula One victory of the season Sunday, winning the European Grand Prix on the Valencia Street Circuit.

Sebastian Vettel dominated the opening portion of the event. His Red Bull was out front when a crash involving Jean-Eric Vergne and Heikki Kovalainen brought out the safety car.

When the field returned to racing Vettel was still out front, but his car suddenly slowed to a stop, his day done.

Alonso, who had just taken second place from Romain Grosjean on the restart after starting 11th, inherited the lead from Vettel. Grosjean stayed close, but he too had issues and came to a stop on lap 40.

That moved Lewis Hamilton into second behind Alonso, but Hamilton too soon found problems. First Kimi Raikkonen moved by him for second, then Hamilton fell into a battle with Pastor Maldonado for third.

As they battled for second the pair came together, ending the race for both men.

All of that action took place behind Alonso, who beat Raikkonen by more than six seconds af the finish.

Michael Schumacher avoided all the carnage to earn his first podium since his return to Formula One. Mark Webber’s Red Bull was fourth and Nico Hulkenburg was fifth for Force India.

The victory gave Alonso a comfortable 20-point lead in the Formula One World Championship standings over Webber, who now sits second.

Marussia’s Timo Glock didn’t start Sunday’s event as he continued to recover from a stomach bug.

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Posted by NSSN Staff on Jun 24 2012 Filed under Formula One, Latest Headlines, Top Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.