Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has won a thrilling European Grand Prix, the Spanish driver becoming the first repeat winner of a wide-open season.
The home favourite, adding this victory to his success in Malaysia in March, takes over at the top of the drivers’ standings after coming in clear of Kimi Raikkonen in a Lotus.
In third came seven-time former champion Michael Schumacher for Mercedes – the veteran German earning his first podium since his comeback – while Australia’s Mark Webber was fourth.
Fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished 12th in his Toro Rosso.
There was major disappointment for McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who was third when he crashed out in the closing stages on Sunday.
Alonso drove a superb race, forging through from 11th place on the grid to lead when Webber’s pole-sitting teammate Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull packed up on lap 35.
Less than 24 hours after Spain had secured their place in the semi-finals at Euro 2012, the two-time drivers’ champion gave his home fans in Valencia more reason to celebrate.
“I can’t express in words my feeling at the moment, to win my home grand prix is a unique feeling, and with the football I’m feeling proud to be Spanish right now,” said Alonso.
In a dramatic finale, Hamilton crashed out after a final lap collision with Pastor Maldonado of Williams, an incident that hoisted Schumacher into the top three to make him the oldest podium finisher since Australian Jack Brabham, in 1970, when he was 44.
Defending double world champion Vettel was forced to retire after dominating most of the race from pole position as was his nearest challenger, Romain Grosjean of Lotus.
Alonso now leads the drivers’ standings on 111 points, from Webber on 91, Hamilton on 88 and Vettel four points further adrift in fourth.
“We don’t know what happened yet,” said Vettel, “I lost drive and then the engine stalled the switched off. We don’t know what the problem is.”