2012 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula One motor race held in 2012 February 2016 October 2022 F1 Spain Spanish 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 Monaco Grand Prix Catalunya.svg 250px Circuit de Catalunya Hughes Mark Mark Hughes (journalist) Report: Spanish GP: Maldonado Rips Up The Form Book http://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2012/5/AS2012.05.17.pdf Autosport 28–41 208 7 17 May 2012 23 March 2020 live 23 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200323192856/http://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2012/5/AS2012.05.17.pdf2012 Spanish Grand Prix results http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/race/54628.html ESPN 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20120619143814/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/race/54628.html 19 June 2012 13 May 2012 Formula 1 Gran Premio de España Santander 2012 5 20 Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló, Catalonia, Spain Permanent racing facility 2.892 4.655 66 190.826Distance There is a 0.126 km mi on offset between the start and finish lines. 307.104 Partially cloudy, dry: Air 23 C, Track 36 C 82,000 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:22.285 VEN Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:26.250 53 FRA Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault VEN Fernando Alonso Ferrari ESP Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault FIN ESP The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix (formally the Formula 1 Gran Premio de España Santander 2012) was a Formula One motor race held on 13 May 2012, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, Spain, attended by 82,000 people. It was the fifth round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship and the 22nd Spanish Grand Prix at the track. Williams's Pastor Maldonado won the 66-lap event from pole position, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso second and Lotus's Kimi Räikkönen third. Sebastian Vettel entered the race as the World Drivers' Championship leader while his team Red Bull were top of the World Constructors' Championship. Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren was fastest in qualifying; he was excluded from the qualifying results for breaking the technical regulations on fuel, forcing him to begin the race from the back of the grid. Maldonado thus inherited pole position, but was overtaken by Alonso at the start of the Grand Prix. After the first two cycles of pit stops for fresh tyres, Maldonado undercut Alonso, who remained out for two more laps and was delayed by a slower driver during the second pit stop cycle. On lap 41, Maldonado's third pit stop was slow due to a tyre fitting fault and he lost his lead, but he retook it again by passing Räikkönen on lap 47. Alonso overtook Räikkönen on the following lap as well, and drew close to Maldonado; he could not pass Maldonado who maintained the lead for the rest of the race and achieved his maiden and only Formula One win. Alonso finished 3.1 seconds behind in second place and Räikkönen took third after being put on an alternate strategy intended to give him victory. The race was Williams's first victory since Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2004 Brazilian, and is their last one 2026 y. Maldonado was the fifth race winner in the season's first five races. As of 2026, he is the only Venezuelan driver to have won a Formula One race. Following the race, Vettel and Alonso shared the World Drivers' Championship lead with 61 championship points each. Hamilton finished eighth, dropping from second to third, while Räikkönen advanced from seventh to fourth. With 15 races remaining in the season, Red Bull maintained its World Constructors' Championship lead over McLaren and Lotus with 109 championship points. Background thumb|The Circuit de Barcelona, where the race was held The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, held on 13 May, was the fifth of 20 races in the 2012 Formula One World Championship and the 22nd at the 16-turn 4.655 km mi on Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, Catalonia, 25 km mi on north of Barcelona,Race Preview: 2012 Spanish Grand Prix http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2012/Pages/f1-preview-esp.aspx Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 9 May 2012 24 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20120512023024/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2012/Pages/f1-preview-esp.aspx 12 May 2012 dead three weeks after the preceding race in Bahrain.S6 E7: Maldonado's 2012 Spanish GP win https://shows.acast.com/bring-back-v10s-classic-f1-stories/episodes/68187f4f97e47f143379756d The Race 4 September 2026 Freeman Edd Straw Chandhok Karun Karun Chandhok 25 August 2022 00:00:56–01:12:00 Bring Back V10s Acast Glenn Tyre supplier Pirelli in their second season of Formula One brought the yellow banded soft and the silver-banded hard dry compound tyres to the race.Symonds Pat June 2012 Race Debrief: Spanish Grand Prix: Williams make it back to the top http://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/racing/2012/06.2012.pdf live F1 Racing United Kingdom 196 110–113 1361-4487 476470071 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211044/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/racing/2012/06.2012.pdf 30 June 2021 Porsche Cars History 23 March 2020 Pat Symondshttp://www.racecar-engineering.com/events/formula-1-2012-round-5-spanish-grand-prix/ Formula 1 2012 round 5: Spanish Grand Prix Collins Sam 9 May 2012 Racecar Engineering live https://web.archive.org/web/20120613220442/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/events/formula-1-2012-round-5-spanish-grand-prix/ 13 June 2012 24 March 2020 McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh and Mercedes' Michael Schumacher criticised Pirelli for the extreme sensitivity of their tyres,Davies Amanda https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/07/sport/motorsport/motorsport-f1-schumacher-pirelli/index.html Schu on tire troubles: 'It's like driving on raw eggs' 7 May 2012 8 May 2012 live CNN 7 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120507235647/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/07/sport/motorsport/motorsport-f1-schumacher-pirelli/index.html and brought a different set of tyres to better demonstrate a difference in performance and tyre durability. The single drag reduction system (DRS) activation zone was placed on the straight linking the final and first corners. For the race, 1 m ft on of artificial grass was installed on turn three's verge and the turn five exit kerb was lengthened by 50 m ft on.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278267/barcelona-back-to-europe-time-to-upgrade/ Barcelona: Back to Europe, time to upgrade 9 May 2012 GPUpdate dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512022731/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278267/barcelona-back-to-europe-time-to-upgrade/ 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 Before the race, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel led the World Drivers' Championship with 53 championship points, ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Vettel's teammate Mark Webber in second and third. Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso tied for fourth position with 43 championship points.Jones Bruce The Official BBC Sport Guide – Formula One 2013 Final Results 2012 https://archive.org/details/officialbbcsport0000bruc/ 2013 Carlton Books London, England 116–117 978-1-78097-244-2 Internet Archive registration Red Bull led the World Constructors' Championship with 101 championship points, followed by McLaren and Lotus with 92 and 57 championship points, respectively. Ferrari were fourth with 45 championship points and Mercedes were fifth with 37 championship points. From 1 to 3 May, the teams conducted a three-day test at the Mugello Circuit in Italy ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.Xavier Leslie http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12868503.cms HRT team to miss Mugello F1 test 25 April 2012 The Times of India 24 March 2020 live Times News Network 30 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211110/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/hrt-team-to-miss-mugello-f1-test/articleshow/12868503.cmshttp://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/formula-1-2012-test-4-mugello/ Formula 1 2012 Test 4: Mugello Collins Sam 1 May 2012 Racecar Engineering live https://web.archive.org/web/20120512040444/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/formula-1-2012-test-4-mugello/ 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 The test allowed teams to assess major aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades as well as tyre behaviour. The HRT team chose not to participate in the test, instead focusing on establishing their new headquarters at the Caja Mágica in Madrid. Alonso was fastest on the first day of testing on a drying circuit.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99283 Fernando Alonso fastest as rain disrupts first day of F1 testing at Mugello Tremayne Sam 1 May 2012 Autosport dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120504052637/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99283 4 May 2012 24 March 2020 limited Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi set identical lap times to go quickest on the second day of testing.http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120502/F1/120509970 Grosjean, Kobayashi top times at Mugello Formula One test Cooper Adam 2 May 2012 Autoweek live https://web.archive.org/web/20120523023537/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120502/F1/120509970 23 May 2012 24 March 2020 Vettel was quickest on the morning of the final day and Grosjean led the afternoon session.https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-fastest-on-final-test-day-at-mugello/419878/ Grosjean fastest on final test day at Mugello Bouman Berthold 3 May 2012 motorsport.com live https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211045/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-fastest-on-final-test-day-at-mugello/419878/ 30 June 2021 24 March 2020 thumb|left|upright|Sebastian Vettel, the World Drivers' Championship leader, coming into the race The championship had been tumultuous thus far, with four different drivers winning the first four rounds. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he felt consistency across races which teams could not win would determine the championship winner: We've consistently managed to be scoring pretty decent points in the first four races. We've had four fourth places with Mark (Webber), we've had a second, a first, a fifth and an 11th with Sebastian dropping that place with the backmarker [in Malaysia]. And that puts us into the lead of the drivers' and constructors' championship after the flyways, which is certainly not what we were expecting after the first couple of races, so it just shows if you maintain your focus and teamwork, that it can pay dividends.http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/cooper-hard-to-draw-conclusions-from-first-four/ Cooper: Hard To Draw Conclusions From First Four Cooper Adam 5 May 2012 Speed dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120507154623/http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/cooper-hard-to-draw-conclusions-from-first-four/ 7 May 2012 24 March 2020Alonso had won the mixed-weather affected 2012 Malaysian before finishing no higher than seventh in the next two races, dropping him ten championship points behind Vettel in the Drivers' Championship.Logothetis Paul 9 May 2012 Contenders heading to F1 Spanish Grand Prix with modest expectations Autoweek Associated Press http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120509/F1/120509839#ixzz6HbwiOO00 dead 24 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20120519113206/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120509/F1/120509839#ixzz6HbwiOO00 19 May 2012 He said that updates to his car could potentially improve his performance in Spain, but he was unsure: "Having said that, it's not the case that if we are not on pole in Barcelona then it's the end of the world."Baldwin Alan https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-racing-alonso/f1-drivers-need-to-show-more-respect-says-alonso-idUSBRE84818I20120509 F1 drivers need to show more respect, says Alonso 9 May 2012 24 March 2020 live Reuters Jimenez Tony 30 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211045/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-racing-alonso/f1-drivers-need-to-show-more-respect-says-alonso-idUSBRE84818I20120509 After finishing second at the preceding 2012 Bahrain, Räikkönen said his objective was to win the race in Spain: "That is the target for me and the team. We want to win grands prix. We have a good car and we saw in Bahrain it is good enough to win. That's the target."Esler William 5 May 2012 Kimi targets victory in Spain http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12473/7732096/Kimi-targets-victory-in-Spain dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120508030339/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12473/7732096/Kimi-targets-victory-in-Spain 8 May 2012 24 March 2020 Sky Sports Hamilton believed passing would be difficult in Spain and hoped to achieve a good qualifying performance for an easier race, saying: "It's always been a tough place for passing – as I found out last year – but I really hope DRS and KERS-Hybrid combined will make it a little easier."http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99345 Lewis Hamilton believes the Spanish GP battle is wide open Noble Jonathan 4 May 2012 Autosport live https://web.archive.org/web/20120504181849/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99345 4 May 2012 24 March 2020 limited There were no changes from the season entry list for the 12 teams (each representing a different constructor).2012 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2012-spanish-grand-prix live 30 July 2021 Motorsport Stats 30 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210730060022/https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2012-spanish-grand-prix There were four driver changes for the first practice session. Dani Clos, a HRT test driver, was allowed to drive Narain Karthikeyan's HRT F112 car in an official Formula One session for the first time by team principal Luis Pérez-Sala.Salisbury Matt 9 May 2012 Clos set for Friday practice outing http://www.crash.net/f1/news/179491/1/clos_handed_friday_practice_run.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512025951/http://www.crash.net/f1/news/179491/1/clos_handed_friday_practice_run.html 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 Crash Alexander Rossi of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series made his practice debut in Heikki Kovalainen's Caterham CT01 car.http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7730880/Caterham-to-give-Rossi-P1-run Caterham to give Rossi P1 run 4 May 2012 Sky Sports dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120505155914/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7730880/Caterham-to-give-Rossi-P1-run 5 May 2012 24 March 2020 He was the first American to partake in a Formula One race weekend since Scott Speed in 2007.Baldwin Alan https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-motor-racing-prix-practice/button-sews-up-quickest-time-in-spain-idUKBRE84A11D20120511 Button sews up quickest time in Spain 11 May 2012 24 March 2020 dead O'Brien John 24 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200324151722/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-motor-racing-prix-practice/button-sews-up-quickest-time-in-spain-idUKBRE84A11D20120511 Reuters Williams reserve driver and 2011 GP3 Series champion Valtteri Bottas drove Bruno Senna's car,https://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/en/formula-1/Bruno-Senna-under-threat-from-Valtteri-Bottas,41877.html Bruno Senna under threat from Valtteri Bottas Young Andy 14 May 2012 NextGen-Auto live https://web.archive.org/web/20200324151724/https://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/en/formula-1/Bruno-Senna-under-threat-from-Valtteri-Bottas,41877.html 24 March 2020 24 March 2020 and Force India reserve driver Jules Bianchi replaced Paul di Resta. Practice The 2012 season's regulations scheduled three practice sessions: two 90-minute sessions on Friday morning and afternoon, and another 60-minute session on Saturday morning.http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/FE4C9612DB18AD8BC125797B00344B65/$FILE/1-2012%20SPORTING%20REGULATIONS%2007-12-2011.pdf 2012 Formula One Sporting Regulations 7 December 2011 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 14, 21–22, 25, 33, 39–41 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120511194218/http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/FE4C9612DB18AD8BC125797B00344B65/%24FILE/1-2012%20SPORTING%20REGULATIONS%2007-12-2011.pdf 11 May 2012 13 June 2014 Alonso lapped fastest at 1:24.430 with 21 minutes remaining in the first practice session, which took place in clear and warm weather, followed by Vettel, who led for 15 minutes, Kobayashi, Button, Bottas, Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, Grosjean, Hamilton, Räikkönen and Force India's Nico Hülkenberg.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278380/alonso-fastest-in-opening-spanish-practice/ Alonso fastest in opening Spanish practice 11 May 2012 GPUpdate dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512210326/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278380/alonso-fastest-in-opening-spanish-practice/ 12 May 2012 24 March 2020http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99490 Fernando Alonso puts Ferrari on top in opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix Beer Matt 11 May 2012 Autosport live https://web.archive.org/web/20120513131619/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99490 13 May 2012 24 March 2020 limited Pedro de la Rosa's HRT car bottomed out braking for the first corner and removing the right-rear bargeboard, which was later retrieved from turn one.11 May 2012 Alonso sets early pace in Barcelona http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78155.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512185301/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78155.html 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 ESPN Clos stopped with a car mechanical problem at the top of the conclusion of the entry to the pit lane. Conditions warmed in the second session on Friday afternoon. Button, driving with a chronic understeer, set the day's fastest lap of 1:23.399 seconds on the soft compound tyres with 55 minutes remaining. Vettel duplicated his first practice result in second, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was third and Hamilton improved to fourth. The Lotus duo of Räikkönen and Grosjean were fifth and sixth and Webber, Schumacher, Kobayashi and Hülkenberg followed in the top ten.11 May 2012 Button ends Barcelona Friday on top http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278403/button-ends-barcelona-friday-on-top/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512210341/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278403/button-ends-barcelona-friday-on-top/ 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 GPUpdate11 May 2012 Spain P2: Button takes control http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/report/20876/7749260/spain-p2--button-takes-control dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120514011943/http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/report/20876/7749260/spain-p2--button-takes-control 14 May 2012 24 March 2020 Sky Sports Teams conducted simulations on how their cars would behave in the race. Some drivers ran off the track during the session.11 May 2012 Button lays down Spanish marker http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78205.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120512185307/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78205.html 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 ESPN Webber carried excess speed and drove onto the turn four gravel trap. The floor of Webber's RB8 car accumulated gravel and stones deposited on the racing line after rejoining the circuit via an area of grass between the gravel and a tyre wall.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/18034090 Jenson Button goes fastest for McLaren in Spanish GP practice Benson Andrew 11 May 2012 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20120512222523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18034090 12 May 2012 24 March 2020 Sergio Pérez went off the track at the same corner in his Sauber car. The third session took place in warm and dry weather on Saturday morning.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278450/vettel-quickest-but-question-marks-remain/ Vettel quickest but question marks remain 12 May 2012 GPUpdate dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515085037/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278450/vettel-quickest-but-question-marks-remain/ 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 Several drivers led before Vettel set the session's fastest time, a 1:23.168 on the soft compound tyres. Williams driver Pastor Maldonado was second and Kobayashi improved to third. Webber, Pérez, Alonso, Toro Rosso driver Jean-Éric Vergne, Button, Räikkönen and Rosberg made up positions four to ten.12 May 2012 Vettel top after final practice in Barcelona http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78317.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515081800/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78317.html 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 ESPN Grosjean's Lotus car lost power due to a sudden loss of fuel pressure, causing his engine to stall 17 minutes into the session at turn ten.http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-sebastian-vettel-to-p1-in-final-barcelona-practice F1: Vettel To P1 in Final Barcelona Practice Turner Jared 12 May 2012 Speed dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515031546/http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-sebastian-vettel-to-p1-in-final-barcelona-practice 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 His session ended early because mechanics were unable to rectify the problem. After the session, stewards summoned Schumacher and Hamilton to discuss an incident in which the latter ran wide at turn 13 and rejoined the track in front of the former before slowing at the apex of turn 15.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278460/schumacher-hamilton-incident-under-investigation/ Schumacher-Hamilton incident under investigation 12 May 2012 GPUpdate dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515094623/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278460/schumacher-hamilton-incident-under-investigation/ 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 The stewards reprimanded Schumacher after agreeing it was a minor incident.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278479/schumacher-given-reprimand-for-hamilton-incident/ Schumacher given reprimand for Hamilton incident 12 May 2012 GPUpdate dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515081747/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/278479/schumacher-given-reprimand-for-hamilton-incident/ 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 Qualifying thumb|left|upright|Lewis Hamilton qualified fastest but began from the back of the grid for breaking fuel regulations. Saturday afternoon's qualifying session was split into three parts. The first session ran for 20 minutes, eliminating cars that finished 18th or lower. The second session lasted 15 minutes, eliminating cars that finished 11th to 17th. The final ten-minute session determined pole position to tenth. Cars that qualified for the final session had to start the race on the tyres with which they set their quickest lap times in the session. Conditions were warm and dry for qualifying. The track improved by about eight-tenths of a second per lap, rather than the usual three-tenths.Hamilton on pole in Spain as rivals falter http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/05/hamilton-on-pole-in-spain-as-rivals-falter/ Allen James James Allen (journalist) 12 May 2012 James Allen on F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120517023630/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/05/hamilton-on-pole-in-spain-as-rivals-falter/ 17 May 2012 24 May 2020 Unlike other fast drivers, Hamilton completed two timed laps and beat Alonso and Maldonado to claim his provisional third pole position of 2012, 22nd of his career, and McLaren's 150th in Formula One with a time of 1:21.707 seconds.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99534 Lewis Hamilton storms to Spanish Grand Prix pole position Beer Matt 12 May 2012 Autosport live https://web.archive.org/web/20120515052515/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99534 15 May 2012 25 March 2020 limitedhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/formula/hamilton-takes-spanish-pole-551268.html Hamilton takes Spanish pole 12 May 2012 Irish Examiner 25 March 2020 live 25 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200325111658/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/formula/hamilton-takes-spanish-pole-551268.html Maldonado, who was fastest in the second session, qualified provisional second despite an untidy lap while Alonso saved a set of soft tyres and set the third-fastest lap. Grosjean took fourth using a setup learned the day before by Lotus.http://origin.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13337.html Qualifying – selected team and driver quotes 12 May 2012 Formula One dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120521221651/http://origin.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13337.html 21 May 2012 25 March 2020 His teammate Räikkönen, fifth, made minor errors during his lap on the soft tyres. Pérez, sixth, was the faster Sauber driver, with Rosberg seventh after a lap set early in the third session on a new set of left-hand tyres and right-hand compounds. Vettel and Schumacher in eighth and ninth both elected not to complete a full lap in the third session as a tyre-saving measure for the race. Kobayashi, tenth, suffered a hydraulic leak en route to the pit lane at the end of the second session, prompting Sauber to instruct him to stop his car to ensure no further damage was sustained. Button, 11th, was the fastest driver not to qualify for the final session due to an unbalanced car with understeer in high-speed corners and an unstable rear entering slower-speed turns when McLaren added angle to his front wing. Red Bull misjudged how much the track would improve as Webber tried to save a set of tyres. Webber was told to not exit the pit lane for a second timed lap, leaving him 12th after going second early in the second session.12 May 2012 Vettel explains Q3 abandonment http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12475/7751512/Vettel-explains-Q3-abandonment dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120514030110/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12475/7751512/Vettel-explains-Q3-abandonment 14 May 2012 23 May 2020 Sky Sports Force India's Di Resta and Hülkenberg were 13th and 14th; Di Resta's car's aerodynamic balance was changed for his final lap of the second session. Vergne (15th) qualified ahead of teammate Ricciardo (16th) for the first time in 2012 after Toro Rosso modified their cars overnight. Ferrari's Felipe Massa, 17th, registered his lowest starting position since the 2010 Singapore due to heavy traffic during his preparation and slowing his final timed lap of the second session. Senna, 18th, spun his car into the gravel trap at turn 12 in an attempt to qualify for the second session at the end of the first. Vitaly Petrov, 19th, located a balance on the soft tyres and kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) mapping made him happier braking in his Caterham but ran wide at turn three. He qualified ahead of his teammate Kovalainen in 20th for the first time in 2012; Kovalainen lost time through an error at turn three. Charles Pic, 21st, beat his Marussia teammate Timo Glock in 22nd by four-tenths of a second, due to an error and tyre issues. An improved car balance put De la Rosa in 23rd, while a flat-spotted tyre caused by Karthikeyan spinning at turn three hindered his teammate. Karthikeyan failed to qualify within 107 percent of Hamilton's fastest time in the first session due to a loose rooftop cowling housing a camera. Post-qualifying After his last third session lap, Whitmarsh decided that Hamilton had to be instructed to stop his car en route to the pit lane due to a lack of fuel to provide the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; Formula One's governing body) a sample, since the refuelling mechanic mistakenly turned a switch to drain Hamilton's car of fuel rather than add some in. The FIA technical delegate reported Hamilton to the stewards for the irregularity. McLaren technical director Sam Michael argued to the stewards that force majeure caused Hamilton to stop on the track; they rejected the argument and deemed the team to have broken the technical regulations on refuelling requiring teams to provide a 1 L on sample of fuel when drivers returned to the pit lane at the conclusion of qualifying. Hamilton was therefore ordered to start at the back of the grid and every driver behind him gained one position. This gave Maldonado the first pole position of his career and the Williams team their first since the 2010 Brazilian.Meenaghan Gary 12 May 2012 Lewis Hamilton stripped of pole position in Spanish Grand Prix The National https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/lewis-hamilton-stripped-of-pole-position-in-spanish-grand-prix-1.369032 live 24 May 2020 30 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211046/https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/lewis-hamilton-stripped-of-pole-position-in-spanish-grand-prix-1.369032 The stewards allowed Karthikeyan to start the race after determining that he could lap within the 107 percent limit in the third practice session.12 May 2012 Spanish Grand Prix stewards give HRT's Narain Karthikeyan permission to race despite missing 107 per cent cut Autosport http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99556 12 May 2012 12 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120512215638/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99556 live limited Qualifying classification The fastest lap in each of the three sessions is denoted in bold. Pos Position No. Car number Driver Constructor Q1 Fastest lap time set by each driver in the first qualifying session Q2 Fastest lap time set by each driver in the second qualifying session Q3 Fastest lap time set by each driver in the third qualifying session Grid Final grid position 1 18 VEN Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:23.380 1:22.105 1:22.285 1 2 5 ESP Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:23.276 1:22.862 1:22.302 2 3 10 FRA Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:23.248 1:22.667 1:22.424 3 4 9 FIN Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:23.406 1:22.856 1:22.487 4 5 15 MEX Sergio Pérez Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.261 1:22.773 1:22.533 5 6 8 GER Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:23.370 1:22.882 1:23.005 6 7 1 GER Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:23.850 1:22.884No Time 7 8 7 GER Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:23.757 1:22.904No Time 8 9 14 JPN Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:23.386 1:22.897No Time 9 10 3 GBR Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.510 1:22.944N/A 10 11 2 AUS Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:23.592 1:22.977N/A 11 12 11 GBR Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:23.852 1:23.125N/A 12 13 12 GER Nico Hülkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1:23.720 1:23.177N/A 13 14 17 FRA Jean-Éric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:24.362 1:23.265N/A 14 15 16 AUS Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:23.906 1:23.442N/A 15 16 6 BRA Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:23.886 1:23.444N/A 16 17 19 BRA Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1:24.981N/AN/A 17 18 21 RUS Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1:25.277N/AN/A 18 19 20 FIN Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1:25.507N/AN/A 19 20 25 FRA Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1:26.582N/AN/A 20 21 24 GER Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1:27.032N/AN/A 21 22 22 ESP Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1:27.555N/AN/A 22 EX Excluded 4 GBR Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.583 1:22.465 1:21.707 241 1107% time: 1:28.363 — 23 IND Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1:31.122N/AN/A 232 2Sources: Notes 1 1 – Lewis Hamilton was excluded from qualifying and demoted to the back of the grid for breaking refuelling regulations by failing to provide the FIA with enough fuel for analysis. 2 2 – Narain Karthikeyan failed to set a lap time within 107 per cent of the fastest lap time in the first session. He was allowed to start the race at the discretion of the stewards. Race The race, attended by 82,000 spectators,2012 Santander Grand Prix of Spain https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2012_Santander_Grand_Prix_of_Spain/F/ live 2 August 2021 Racing-Reference 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210802064320/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2012_Santander_Grand_Prix_of_Spain/F/ began at 14:00 local time. A lightning thunderstorm fell on the track overnight, but the weather cleared and became overcast before the race start.Creighton Geoff Hughes Emlyn As it happened: The Spanish Grand Prix http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/471 Autosport 13 May 2012 23 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205917/http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/471 15 May 2012 dead limitedBarretto Lawrence Spanish Grand Prix as it happened http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18047197 BBC Sport 13 May 2012 23 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20120514190152/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18047197 14 May 2012 dead The air temperature was between 22 and 23 C F and the track temperature from 32 to 35 C F;Großer Preis von Spanien 2012 / Barcelona 2012 Spanish Grand Prix / Barcelona https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/ergebnisse/2012/grosser-preis-von-spanien/rennen Motorsport-Total.com German 24 May 2020 live 30 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630211048/https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/ergebnisse/2012/grosser-preis-von-spanien/rennen weather forecasts predicted rain during the event.Benammar Emily 13 May 2012 Spanish Grand Prix 2012: live The Sunday Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9262658/Spanish-Grand-Prix-2012-live.html live registration 23 March 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20120514031211/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9262658/Spanish-Grand-Prix-2012-live.html 14 May 2012 Every driver began on the soft compound tyres; due to improved tyre wear in 2012, it appeared that drivers would make three pit stops rather than the four observed in 2011. When the race commenced, Maldonado's clutch slipped more than he expected and he turned right to block Alonso. He pushed Alonso onto the grass, but the latter kept accelerating and passed Maldonado on the inside into the first corner. Pérez overtook Grosjean but the two collided,Race – selected team and driver quotes http://origin.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13346.html 13 May 2012 Formula One dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120521221708/http://origin.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13346.html 21 May 2012 24 May 2020 puncturing the former's rear-left tyre. He controlled the car on the outside of turn three.Spanish Grand Prix 2012 commentary http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/race/54628.html?view=commentary 13 May 2012 ESPN dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120518043906/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/race/54628.html?view=commentary 18 May 2012 23 March 2020 At turn four, Rosberg overtook Grosjean for fourth place, and Rosberg's teammate Schumacher began challenging Grosjean for sixth soon after passing Vettel for seventh. By the end of the first lap, Hamilton had advanced from 24th to 20th, while Massa had gained five positions. thumb|right|upright|Kimi Räikkönen (pictured in 2017) finished third for the Lotus team At the first lap's conclusion, Alonso led Maldonado by 1.3 seconds with Räikkönen third, Rosberg fourth and Grosjean fifth. Pérez made a pit stop to switch to the hard compound tyres and rejoined the race at the back of the field. Pic lost control of his car exiting turn three but continued without other drivers striking his car. At the front, Maldonado spent the first laps trailing Alonso, not attempting to pass him but staying as far back as possible to avoid being affected by Alonso's Ferrari's aerodynamic turbulence, avoiding tyre damage, and determining where his car was strong and weak in comparison to the Ferrari. Alonso was unable to pull clear of Maldonado and began reporting left-hand tyre wear on lap six. On the next lap, Webber was the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop for the hard compound tyres in an attempt to pass Massa without any aerodynamic turbulence affecting his car. Vettel, Webber's teammate, followed with a pit stop on the eighth lap and rejoined the race in 18th on hard compound tyres. Webber had previously almost been caught out and avoided colliding with the rear of an early braking Karthikeyan while attempting to pass him. Kobayashi, Rosberg and Button made their pit stops over the following two laps. Hamilton forced Hülkenberg into a driving error at turn nine and moved into 11th on lap nine. Alonso led Maldonado by 1.1 seconds at the end of lap ten and made his first pit stop for new hard compound tyres. He rejoined in third, while Maldonado took the lead. At the end of the 11th lap, Maldonado made his first pit stop to replace his old soft compound tyres, with Räikkönen in second. As Alonso retook first, the two exited the pit lane second and third on hard and soft compound tyres, respectively. Räikkönen and teammate Grosjean drove on used soft tyres because Lotus anticipated a larger lap time difference between hard and soft tyres. On lap 12, after Rosberg overtook the yet-to-stop Senna, Grosjean went to the outside of Senna, and the two collided at the first corner, removing part of Grosjean's front wing. Schumacher attempted to draw close to Senna braking for the first corner on the next lap, but he struck the rear of Senna's vehicle after a late attacking move. Schumacher abandoned his car in the gravel with the front wing folded underneath, and Senna retired further around the track. On the 15th lap, Hamilton had a problematic pit stop from fourth. He struck a detached left-rear tyre leaving his pit box, lifting his car into the air and dropping him to 14th in the race order. Grosjean used DRS to pass Rosberg on the outside for sixth into turn one on the next lap; Rosberg's delay meant Grosjean was 20 seconds behind teammate Räikkönen. Webber lost front load on his front wing, slowing him and dropping him from 9th to 14th behind di Resta, Vergne, Massa, Hülkenberg and Hamilton during lap 17. He made a pit stop for a front wing replacement on the following lap and fell to 17th. At the front, Maldonado lapped faster than Alonso, narrowing the gap from 2.3 seconds to 1.5 seconds by the time Williams chief strategist Mark Barnett asked him to make a second pit stop for a new set of hard compound tyres on the 25th lap. Maldonado rejoined in third, eight seconds behind Räikkönen. Barnett calculated Maldonado could drive 42 laps on his current set of tyres and do another pit stop without losing speed. Karthikeyan had a wheel problem and had to retire to the side of the track near the pit lane inside exit. thumb|left|upright|Fernando Alonso finished in second for Ferrari after leading 24 of the first 26 laps. Pic's slower car delayed Alonso into turn one, and he made his second pit stop at the end of lap 26. Williams's strategy enabled Maldonado to pass Alonso who was six seconds behind him exiting the pit lane. At the end of lap 27, Räikkönen made his second pit stop from the lead for hard compound tyres and rejoined the track in third. On lap 28, Vettel and Massa were given drive-through penalties for ignoring yellow flags telling them to slow for turn one for Schumacher's stricken car, as was evidenced by them using DRS. Massa took his penalty immediately while Vettel served his three laps later. Vettel fell from sixth to ninth, ahead of Hülkenberg and teammate Webber. Maldonado was radioed on lap 32 to manage his rear tyres and keep his seven-second lead over Alonso in second. Alonso stayed seven seconds behind Maldonado to avoid overstressing his tyres. During lap 33, Kobayashi overtook Button on the outside entering turn five for seventh with minor contact between the two drivers. Three laps later, Hamilton made his final pit stop for a new set of hard compound tyres from fifth after pushing hard on his old set of tyres. He rejoined the circuit in heavy traffic in 14th. Pic received a drive-through penalty for ignoring blue flags earlier in the race and delaying Alonso, but he retired in the garage on lap 37 due to driveshaft failure. Vettel used DRS on lap 38 to pass Button on the outside for seventh at the first corner. Pérez pulled off to the side of the track in the final sector of the track and became the Grand Prix's final retiree with a transmission fault on lap 40. When Alonso began drawing closer to Maldonado by half a second per lap, Williams chief strategist Mark Barnett asked the latter to stop for a new set of hard compound tyres at lap 41's conclusion.Remember Pastor Maldonado finest hour? How he took unlikely win in Spain http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/02/remember-pastor-maldonados-finest-hour-how-he-took-unlikely-win-in-spain Allen James 2 February 2016 James Allen on F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160205022305/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/02/remember-pastor-maldonados-finest-hour-how-he-took-unlikely-win-in-spain 5 February 2016 23 March 2020 The team had difficulty installing the rear-left wheel, forcing Maldonado to remain stationary for a little longer than expected. Maldonado fell to third, behind Alonso and Räikkönen. On lap 43, Vettel suffered damage to the left side of his front wing and made a pit stop for new tyres and a front wing, falling to 10th. Maldonado drew closer to the yet-to-stop Räikkönen by a second, and was baulked by him slightly, allowing Alonso to close up for the last stint. Alonso entered the pit lane for his final tyre stop on lap 45, falling to third. Räikkönen led for two laps until Maldonado passed him with DRS for the lead into the first corner on lap 47. Alonso used DRS to overtake Räikkönen on the following lap for second. thumb|right|upright|Pastor Maldonado (pictured in 2011) achieved the first and only victory for a Venezuelan driver in Formula One. Räikkönen, third, made his final pit stop for hard compound tyres in an attempt to force Maldonado and Alonso to race past the life expectancy of their tyres, allowing him to win at the last minute. He reemerged in fourth on the 49th lap, 22 seconds behind Alonso in second. By lap 49, Alonso drew to within a second of Maldonado and could use DRS through tyre overuse after the latter was told to slow to preserve his compounds and keep the former in second. Grosjean made a pit stop from fourth on lap 52, handing third to his teammate Räikkönen. The gap between Maldonado and Alonso varied between 1.3 and 0.6 seconds over the next six laps due to the presence of slower cars as the two drivers were caught by Räikkönen, who appeared unlikely to pass them before the race ended unless their tyres degraded. On the 59th lap, Vettel braked later than Button and passed him on the inside at turn ten for eighth. The following two laps saw Kobayashi collide with Rosberg at turn five before overtaking the latter on the inside at the turn ten for fifth. Vettel held off Hamilton for seventh on the outside of turn one on lap 63, using DRS. On the 65th lap, Vettel passed Rosberg (whose lack of rear grip created wheelspin) on the inside exiting turn eight for sixth. At the front, Maldonado extended his lead to more than three seconds after Alonso fell back due to a sudden loss of rear grip, which slowed him after mounting the kerbs exiting turn seven with nine laps remaining. He won his first Formula One race, and the first and, 2026 y, only victory for a Venezuelan driver.13 May 2026 Pastor Maldonado on his “very, very special” Spanish GP win in 2012 https://www.williamsf1.com/articles/8104aa86-31f3-4201-a41a-9e55695ce4af/interview-pastor-maldonado-spanish-grand-prix-win 3 September 2026 Williams Racing It was the Williams team's first victory in 130 Grand Prix starts; their previous race win was Juan Pablo Montoya's victory at the 2004 Brazilian, and their last one, 2026 y https://www.statsf1.com/en/williams/victoire.aspx.Williams – Wins https://www.statsf1.com/en/williams/victoire.aspx 2 January 2026 StatsF1 Maldonado was the fifth race winner in the season's first five races.Collantine Keith 14 May 2012 Williams end second-longest F1 victory drought https://www.racefans.net/2012/05/14/2012-spanish-grand-prix-stats-facts/ live 28 July 2021 RaceFans 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073834/https://www.racefans.net/2012/05/14/2012-spanish-grand-prix-stats-facts/ Alonso followed 3.2 seconds later in second with Räikkönen third drawing to within 0.7 seconds of Alonso. Grosjean followed in fourth, ahead of Kobayashi in fifth, Vettel sixth, Rosberg seventh, Hamilton eighth, Button ninth and Hülkenberg tenth. Webber was 11th after failing to pass Hülkenberg in the final laps. Vergne, Ricciardo, di Resta after running slower on the hard compound tyres, Massa, Kovalainen, Petrov, Glock and De la Rosa were the final classified finishers. Post-race The top three drivers appeared on the podium to collect their trophies and spoke to the media in the subsequent press conference. Maldonado described the race as "a wonderful day" and a validation of his team's progress over the previous season: "It was a tough race because of the strategy as well, it was hard especially because of rear tyres, after a couple of laps we were struggling with them, but I need to say I am pretty happy because car was so competitive since the first lap."13 May 2012 Post-race press conference – Spain https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/post-race-press-conference-spain-154005078.html?guccounter=1 live 28 July 2021 Yahoo! Sports 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073833/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_0f397b50-d567-43bd-a7ae-f79b213a2b50 After finishing second, Alonso thanked the spectators and television viewers and hoped drivers would understand the importance of regulation compliance after Pic delayed him, adding: "It's more of a penalty the penalty we paid – maybe the race win – but yeah a little bit disappointed." Räikkönen expressed minor disappointment at not being competitive enough, feeling that the correct strategy would have allowed him to not fall too far behind in the final laps but still challenge for the lead, adding: "We need, like, ten more laps and then I think we could have been fighting for the win." thumb|upright|Michael Schumacher was imposed a five-place grid penalty for colliding with Bruno Senna on lap 13. Maldonado's victory was widely celebrated in Venezuela, with photographs of him celebrating appearing in the Venezuelan press and television.Lewin Andrew 14 May 2012 Venezuela celebrates Maldonado breakthrough https://www.crash.net/f1/news/179712/1/venezuela-celebrates-maldonado-breakthrough live 29 July 2021 Crash 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073846/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/179712/1/venezuela-celebrates-maldonado-breakthrough He became a national hero and residents of Venezuela's capital Caracas celebrated his victory by unfurling banners reading "Maldonado, pride of Venezuela!" and blasting car horns.Cawthorne Andrew 14 May 2012 Motor racing – Maldonado's triumph unites polarised Venezuela Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-racing-prix-venezuela-idUKL1E8GE1IC20120514 29 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073840/https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-racing-prix-venezuela-idUKL1E8GE1IC20120514 live Hugo Chávez, Venezuela's president and a friend of Maldonado's, telephoned the driver that evening, congratulating him "in the name of Venezuela."Meenaghan Gary 17 May 2012 Patriotic Pastor Maldonado ignores his critics and dreams of F1 title The National Abu Dhabi https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/patriotic-pastor-maldonado-ignores-his-critics-and-dreams-of-f1-title-1.401201/ 29 July 2021 live https://web.archive.org/web/20120519135208/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/formula-one/patriotic-pastor-maldonado-ignores-his-critics-and-dreams-of-f1-title 19 May 2012 Toto Wolff, a Williams board member, felt Maldonado's performance silenced his critics about his pay driver status and that his last lap crash at the 2012 Australian helped improve his mindset.Noble Jonathan 15 May 2012 Pastor Maldonado's Spanish Grand Prix win will 'shut critics up' says Williams' Toto Wolff http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99627 live https://web.archive.org/web/20120518070339/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99627 18 May 2012 29 July 2021 Autosport limited Following the race, conspiracy theories emerged that the Williams team used Pirelli-supplied performance-enhancing tyres on Maldonado's car to provide team owner Frank Williams with a Grand Prix win a month after his 70th birthday.https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-top-3-conspiracy-theories-of-the-2012-season/430030/ The Top 3 conspiracy theories of the 2012 season Correa João 11 December 2012 motorsport.com live https://web.archive.org/web/20200324102623/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-top-3-conspiracy-theories-of-the-2012-season/430030/ 24 March 2020 24 March 2020Ziegengeist Juliane 18 October 2020 Maldonado-Verschwörung 2012: Wie Alex Wurz den Überraschungssieg erklärt Maldonado Conspiracy 2012: How Alex Wurz explains the surprise victory https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/maldonado-verschwoerung-2012-wie-alex-wurz-den-ueberraschungssieg-erklaert-20101801 live 29 July 2021 Motorsport-Total.com de 26 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210126085059/https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/maldonado-verschwoerung-2012-wie-alex-wurz-den-ueberraschungssieg-erklaert-20101801 Team consultant Alexander Wurz dismissed the theory, saying in a 2020 interview with ORF that he and Williams chief designer Ed Wood were the first to understand how to heat the front tyre over the rim to swiftly resolve the issue of air flow volume cooling the wheels via the rim. After the race, the stewards investigated Schumacher and Senna's collision on lap 13. They deemed Schumacher wholly responsible for the collision and imposed a five-place grid penalty for the following 2012 Monaco.Schmidt Michael 15 May 2012 Schumi, Vettel, Hamilton & Massa: Das Rennen der Strafen Schumi, Vettel, Hamilton & Massa: The race of punishments http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/gp-spanien-2012-renn-analyse-4968294.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120518002225/http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/schumacher-vettel-hamilton-massa-das-rennen-der-strafen-4969285.html 18 May 2012 24 May 2020 Auto Motor und Sport de Schumacher reviewed television footage of the crash before taking to the media about it. Schumacher was annoyed and said Senna turned right to defend his position before steering left under braking. Senna refuted this, saying he did not expect to hit Schumacher and turned left because he believed the latter would be on the inside upon observing the Mercedes driver's manoeuvre.Logothetis Paul 13 May 2012 Schumacher's last F1 season shaping up to be worst Taiwan News Associated Press https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1919048 29 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073834/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1919048 live Hamilton was pleased with McLaren improving his car's performance and his conserving tyres and making only two pit stops: "I was the only one to do a two stopper, despite everyone always telling me how aggressive my driving style is and how much better my team-mate is on tyres than me."Mallett Thomas 13 May 2012 Lewis Hamilton vindicated by Spanish Grand Prix drive to eighth position http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99602 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205723/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99602 15 May 2012 29 July 2021 Autosport limited Grosjean said the start was difficult because he struggled to get the front of his car to work after sustaining front wing damage on the first lap.13 May 2012 Front wing damage hampers Grosjean http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78619.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120515233948/http://en.espnf1.com/spain/motorsport/story/78619.html 15 May 2012 29 July 2021 ESPN Rosberg was bemused when his Mercedes team's tyre management issue slowed him.13 May 2012 Mercedes car issue hindered Rosberg's pace during the Spanish Grand Prix https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-car-issue-hindered-rosbergs-pace-during-the-spanish-grand-prix-4454161 live 29 July 2021 Autosport 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073836/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-car-issue-hindered-rosbergs-pace-during-the-spanish-grand-prix-4454161/4454161/ limited The final result meant Vettel and Alonso shared the World Drivers' Championship lead with 61 championship points each. Hamilton slipped from second to third with 53 championship points, while Räikkönen's third-place finish moved him from seventh to fourth with 49 championship points. Webber's inability to score championship points dropped him from third to fifth place with 48 championship points.Spain 2012 – Championship – Stats F1 https://www.statsf1.com/en/2012/espagne/championnat.aspx live 20 March 2019 StatsF1 21 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190321102142/https://www.statsf1.com/en/2012/espagne/championnat.aspx Red Bull maintained their World Constructors' Championship lead with 109 championship points. McLaren and Lotus maintained second and third with 98 and 84 championship points, respectively. Ferrari were fourth with 63 championship points, while Mercedes and Williams were both fifth with 43 championship points with 15 races remaining in the season. Williams garage fire About 90 minutes after the race,Formula 1 personnel injured in Williams fire http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99599 Jonathan Noble Autosport 13 May 2012 15 May 2012 15 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205713/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99599 live and after the celebratory photographs, the Williams garage caught fire and smoke billowed from the front and rear of the garage. Pit crews from the Williams, Force India and Caterham teams were able to bring the blaze under control. Thirty-one people were injured from burns and smoke inhalation,Serious fire in Williams pit after race http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/13/fire-williams-pit-race/ Keith Collantine RaceFans 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 15 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205747/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/05/13/fire-williams-pit-race/ live with seven transferred to local hospitals.Williams working to determine cause of fire, FIA says 31 people treated in total http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99605 Pablo Elizalde Autosport 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 15 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205729/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99605 live limited All were later released.Injured Williams mechanic returns home for further medical care http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99635 Jonathan Noble Autosport 16 May 2012 16 May 2012 18 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120518130223/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99635 live limited Early reports suggested that the fire was caused by fuel that exploded while being prepared for a routine post-race inspection. Photographs taken at the scene showed Senna's car as the source of the fire, which started when a fuel rig used to drain the car began leaking,Formula One fire after Spanish Grand Prix http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/gallery/formula-one-fire-williams-team-spanish-grand-prix-051312#photo-title=&photo=31005563 Fox Sports 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 15 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515205643/http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/gallery/formula-one-fire-williams-team-spanish-grand-prix-051312#photo-title=&photo=31005563 live while other reports suggested that a spark from the KERS unit initiated the blaze.Benson Andrew https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/18051779 Spanish Grand Prix: Williams crew injured in pit fire BBC Sport 14 May 2012 20 March 2015 28 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150428232748/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/18051779 live Senna's FW34 car was damaged as a result;Baldwin Alan Weir Keith Palmer Justin Osmond Ed Seven in hospital after Spanish GP fire https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-racing-prix-fire-idINDEE84C06420120514 Reuters 14 May 2012 29 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729073836/https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-racing-prix-fire-idINDEE84C06420120514 live Maldonado's car was not in the garage at the time.Team members injured as fire breaks out at Spanish Grand Prix http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/team-members-injured-as-fire-breaks-out-at-spanish-grand-prix/ Sam Collins Racecar Engineering 13 May 2012 14 May 2012 16 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120516080853/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/team-members-injured-as-fire-breaks-out-at-spanish-grand-prix/ live Teams were reported as lending replacement equipment to Williams for the Monaco Grand Prix, and the team modified its fuel handling safety procedures.Noble Jonathan Williams tightens safety procedures after Spanish Grand Prix fire http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99785 Autosport 23 May 2012 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20120525093745/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99785 25 May 2012 dead limited Maldonado rescued his twelve-year-old cousin Manuel from the fire, as he had a broken foot.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9263250/Pastor-Maldonado-carries-cousin-after-fire-breaks-out-in-Williams-garage-to-ruin-Spanish-GP-victory-celebrations.html Pastor Maldonado carries cousin after fire breaks out in Williams garage to ruin Spanish GP victory celebrations 13 May 2012 The Daily Telegraph London 27 December 2019 27 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191227125751/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9263250/Pastor-Maldonado-carries-cousin-after-fire-breaks-out-in-Williams-garage-to-ruin-Spanish-GP-victory-celebrations.html live limited Race classification Drivers who scored championship points are denoted in bold. Pos Position No. Car number Driver Constructor Laps Laps completed Time/Retired Grid Final grid position Points 1 18 VEN Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 66 1:39:09.145 1 25 2 5 ESP Fernando Alonso Ferrari 66 +3.195 2 18 3 9 FIN Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 66 +3.884 4 15 4 10 FRA Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 66 +14.799 3 12 5 14 JPN Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 66 +1:04.641 9 10 6 1 GER Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 66 +1:07.576 7 8 7 8 GER Nico Rosberg Mercedes 66 +1:17.919 6 6 8 4 GBR Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 66 +1:18.140 24 4 9 3 GBR Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 66 +1:25.246 10 2 10 12 GER Nico Hülkenberg Force India-Mercedes 65 +1 lap 13 1 11 2 AUS Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 65 +1 lap 11 12 17 FRA Jean-Éric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 65 +1 lap 14 13 16 AUS Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 65 +1 lap 15 14 11 GBR Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 65 +1 lap 12 15 6 BRA Felipe Massa Ferrari 65 +1 lap 16 16 20 FIN Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 65 +1 lap 19 17 21 RUS Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 65 +1 lap 18 18 24 GER Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 64 +2 laps 21 19 22 ESP Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 63 +3 laps 22 Ret Retired 15 MEX Sergio Pérez Sauber-Ferrari 37 Transmission 5 Ret Retired 25 FRA Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 35 Halfshaft 20 Ret Retired 23 IND Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 22 Wheel 23 Ret Retired 19 BRA Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 12 Collision damage 17 Ret Retired 7 GER Michael Schumacher Mercedes 12 Collision 8Sources: Championship standings after the race full season standings 2012 Formula One World Championship#Results and standings Drivers' Championship standings +/– Pos. Position Driver Points 10px 1 GER Sebastian Vettel 61 10px 3 2 ESP Fernando Alonso 61 10px 1 3 GBR Lewis Hamilton 53 10px 3 4 FIN Kimi Räikkönen 49 10px 2 5 AUS Mark Webber 48Sources: Constructors' Championship standings +/– Pos. Position Constructor Points 10px 1 AUT Red Bull-Renault 109 10px 2 GBR McLaren-Mercedes 98 10px 3 GBR Lotus-Renault 84 10px 4 ITA Ferrari 63 10px 5 GER Mercedes 43Sources: Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings. See also 2012 Catalunya GP2 Series round 2012 Catalunya GP3 Series round Footnotes References External links Spanish Grand Prix 2012 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 Monaco Grand Prix 2011 Spanish Grand Prix 2013 Spanish Grand Prix Category:Spanish Grand Prix Spain Grand Prix Category:May 2012 sports events in Spain