Williams' Pastor Maldonado wins Spanish Grand Prix

Sunday, May 13, 2012 Unknown

William's Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado drives at the Circuit
de Catalunya on May 13, 2012 in Montmelo on the outskirts of
Barcelona during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix. 
-- PHOTO: AFP
BARCELONA (AFP) - Venezuela's Pastor Maldonado claimed his maiden Formula One win, and handed Williams their first since 2004, with victory in the Spanish Grand Prix here on Sunday.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso finished second with Finn Kimi Raikkonen in third as Maldonado made the most of inheriting pole position from Lewis Hamilton after the Briton was relegated to the back of the pack on Saturday. McLaren driver Hamilton finished in eighth place at over a minute behind as Maldonado won a thrilling duel with Ferrari's former two-time world champion Alonso.

Alonso's runner-up place gave him 18 points and the championship lead at the expense of defending world champion Sebastian Vettel, who was sixth in a Red Bull having started from seventh on the grid.

Maldonado's maiden win handed Williams their 114th overall, but their first in the series since fellow South American Juan Pablo Montoya won the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2004.