Formula 1: European GP Overview

Fernando Alonso crosses the finish line to win at home for a second time

Hamilton leads the Lotuses.

Fernando Alonso put in an impeccable performance in Valencia to become the first man to win two races in 2012. In a topsy turvy race that saw Alonso start 11th, Vettel, Grosjean and Hamilton all fail to finish and Schumacher finish on the podium, the circuit itself was the biggest surprise, delivering its first memorable race. 

Who would have pegged Alonso to win the race after qualifying? Failing to even make it through to the final session, it seemed as though Ferrari had made a gross error of judgement in not sending the Spaniard out for one last run. 

Starting from pole was, of course, Sebastian Vettel. Whilst it is important to laud Alonso with the plaudits of winning, it is even more important to note Vettel's performance in Valencia. The reigning champion was ominously dominant in the first half of the race; behind him, Grosjean, Hamilton and Raikkonen had nothing to answer with. 

Had the alternator on his Renault engine not given up the ghost, Vettel would have certainly won this race. He was untouchable. Alas, the pendulum did not swing in his favour in 2012 as did so often in 2011. Grosjean's Lotus had an identical ailment and also would have had a shot at victory without his technical difficulties.

Vettel's start was lightning fast.

Down at Mclaren, it was an afternoon to forget. JB had another mediocre race, only finishing in 8th; hardly championship winning pace. Hamilton on the other hand had a promising race. He was undone however by yet another pit-stop calamity; Hamilton's stop was a full 14 seconds long, dropping him behind both Raikkonen and Alonso. It cost him another shot at a win and worst of all, it left him fighting over the same piece of track with Maldonado by the penultimate lap.

With Lewis' tyres falling away rapidly, Maldonado dived around the outside of Turn 12 and hopped across the kerbs straight into the side of the Mclaren. It put Lewis out of the race and Pastor out of the points. The over-ambitiousness of Maldonado's move was a gross error of judgement and highlights his lack of experience. Whilst it cost Williams' a podium, it was even more costly for Hamilton. With the season as close as it is, Lewis lost important points to rivals like Alonso and Raikkonen. The only solace he can find is that he is in the same boat as Vettel and Grosjean.

With the ending to the race as chaotic as it was, there were many drivers surprised with their final placing. Schumacher, Webber and Rosberg all gained places as a result of the Hamilton/Maldonado incident. Both Force India's also added points to their tally; Hulkenberg was hugely impressive en route to finish fifth and Di Resta made a one-stop strategy work well to finish seventh.

Two teams that had a mixed bag this weekend was Toro Rosso and Caterham. Vergne and Kovalainen's crash was what brought out the safety car and Ricciardo and Petrov also came together late in the race. The Italian squad continue to have a unsatisfying season; with only six points overall, Toro Rosso sit in a lonely 9th place. They are a full 38 points behind Force India and have only the three new teams behind them.

The biggest winner of the day for me was the venue itself. Never having set itself apart as being a classic racetrack, the Valencia street circuit surprised everyone by putting on such a fantastic race full of overtaking, drama and action. 

Next stop, Silverstone, where Mclaren will be looking to step up their game and take a third win of the season on home soil. Expect Red Bull and Lotus to be leading the pack however, as well as Ferrari, Mercedes, Williams and Sauber all thrown into the mix. Add a dash of the inclement British weather and who knows what might happen!