Pastor Maldonado wins the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in style

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The 2012 Formula 1 season surprises again with rookie, Pastor Maldonado, taking his first ever Grand Prix win in Spain this weekend.  This made the Williams team the fifth different constructor to win in the first five races of the season. 

The shock of the qualifying sessions was Lewis Hamilton getting disqualified after his provisional pole position.  He failed to meet regulations when he ran out of fuel on the cool-down lap and never reached the pits.  This event promoted Maldonado to the first starting position. 

This was the first career pole for the Venezuelan driver.  Fernando Alonzo had a successful weekend being fueled by the support of his home country.  Alonzo started and finished the race in second.  He is now tied for first overall in championship points with Sebastian Vettel.  Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the podium after he got past his teammate Romain Grosjean for third.

Where were the usual suspects?  Or should I say – where were the premier team drivers since there is no such thing as “usual” this season?  Lewis Hamilton put up an excellent display by advancing from dead last to finish eighth and about a car length away from seventh. 

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Teammate Jenson Button had a difficult weekend and finished in ninth.  Sebastian Vettel managed a sixth finishing position, while Mark Webber had struggled and finished out of the points in eleventh.  Nico Rosberg was in the fight and ended up in seventh.  Michael Schumacher was struck by bad luck once again when he retired after an accident on lap 12.

The spectacular 2012 season moves on to the legendary Monaco street circuit in two weeks.  Is it possible to get a sixth different driver and constructor to win the next race?  Can it really go six for six? Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez and some others sure hope so.

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AndreAndre Smirnov is a Software Engineer by trade and a life-long automotive enthusiast.  On the weekends – you may find him at a car show, an auction, watching a race, or tinkering in the garage.  When not working or spending time with the family – he often scours the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.