2012 European Grand Prix
Alonso wins home race; Schumacher takes final podium at Valencia.
The 2012 European Grand Prix (formally, the 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe) was a Formula One motor race held at the Valencia Street Circuit in Valencia, Spain on 24 June 2012. It was the eighth round of the 2012 championship season, and the final time the circuit hosted the European Grand Prix or any other Formula One race.
Quick Facts
- Season context
- Round 8 of the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship
Lore & Background
It was Fernando Alonso's second Grand Prix win in Spain after the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix held at Barcelona, with Kimi Räikkönen finishing second. Michael Schumacher finished third at the age of 43 years and 173 days, the oldest driver to climb to the podium since Jack Brabham's second-place finish at the 1970 British Grand Prix. It was Schumacher's best result since his comeback in 2010 and the final podium finish of his Formula One career. Alonso was the first to win his home race since Michael Schumacher in 2006.
Reader's Guide
Sebastian Vettel took pole position, his second of the season and 33rd of his career, moving him into joint third with Alain Prost and Jim Clark on the all-time list. Lewis Hamilton qualified second, Pastor Maldonado third. The race saw Vettel lead from start to finish, building a 4-second lead within the first two laps. Alonso moved from 11th to 8th on the first lap and eventually finished first. Schumacher, starting on medium tyres, climbed to third place.
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