Spanish Grand Prix 2012 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Pastor Maldonado produced the shock result of the 2012 season with a sensational victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, claiming his maiden Formula 1 win and delivering Williams' first victory since 2004. The Venezuelan driver controlled the race from pole position, holding off Fernando Alonso's charging Ferrari in front of the Spaniard's home crowd at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, becoming the fifth different winner in five races and ensuring 2012's remarkable pattern of unpredictability reached new heights.

Maldonado's pole position lap had stunned the paddock on Saturday, with the Williams driver extracting maximum performance from the FW34 to beat Lewis Hamilton by just 0.578 seconds. On race day, he converted that advantage into a commanding performance, managing his tires brilliantly and fending off intense pressure from Alonso throughout. The Williams team - which had struggled for years in the midfield - executed a perfect strategic race, timing Maldonado's pit stops to perfection and giving him the tools to hold off the Ferrari challenge. The Venezuelan's defensive driving in the closing laps was exemplary, denying Alonso any opportunity to pass despite the Spaniard's superior pace on fresher tires.

Alonso drove a brilliant recovery race to finish second after starting from fifth on the grid, providing his home fans with a podium finish even as they witnessed Maldonado's triumph. Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium for Lotus in third place, continuing his consistent points-scoring form. The race's drama extended beyond the checkered flag when a fire broke out in the Williams garage during the post-race celebrations, causing significant damage and injuries. Maldonado's victory - Williams' 114th and, to date, their last - represented a fairy tale moment for both driver and team, while the championship picture became more confused than ever with five different winners from five different teams. Lewis Hamilton's retirement from pole position after contact on the first lap marked another reliability blow for McLaren's increasingly frustrating campaign.