Saudi Arabia approves cooperation agreement with US for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes    Quality of Life Program CEO highlights Saudi urban transformations at UN-Habitat conference in Cairo    AlHisn Big Time Studios unveiled to transform film and TV production in Riyadh    Saudi Aramco's Q3 net income falls 15.5% to SR103 billion amid a jump in annual cash flows    Almarai wins 'Best Corporate Sukuk' at Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards    Top climber falls to death after rare Himalayan feat    US voters flying home in time for election    Drones and snipers on standby to protect Arizona vote-counters    India's Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident    Harris and Trump make final push in must-win Pennsylvania    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Saudi crown prince, Tunisian president review bilateral relations in phone call    SFDA Chief visits premier biotechnology and medical firms in China    Al-Khereiji: Collective action in combating terrorism is a must for achieving stability and prosperity    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Neymar expected to join Al Hilal squad for AFC clash against Esteghlal, says coach Jesus    Al Qadsiah secure 2-0 victory over Al Ettifaq in first Eastern Derby since 2021    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Maldonado wins Spanish GP thriller for Williams
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 14 - 05 - 2012

Williams Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela celebrates winning the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in Montmelo Sunday. — Reuters
BARCELONA, Spain — Pastor Maldonado held off Fernando Alonso to win the Spanish Grand Prix Sunday and give Williams its first Formula One victory in eight years.
Maldonado, starting from pole position, held his nerve as he withstood the challenge of Ferrari's Spanish driver to take the 66-lap race at the Catalunya Circuit by 3.1 seconds.
Maldonado become the sport's first Venezuelan winner, while Williams' 114th triumph was its first since the 2004 Brazilian GP.
Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus was 3.8 seconds behind Maldonado for third, ahead of teammate Romain Grosjean. Lewis Hamilton, demoted from pole to last place in the 24-car field because of a rule breach, finished eighth for McLaren.
Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber was fifth, ahead of two-time defending F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, who charged past Nico Rosberg's Mercedes to take sixth after the Red Bull driver had to perform a drive-thorugh penalty during the race.
Hamilton finished ahead of teammate Jenson Button with Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg taking the last two points in 10th.
Alonso provided home fans with a steely start as the two-time champion kept his inside line, under pressure from Maldonado. The Spaniard led around the first corner with Raikkonen moving ahead of Grosjean to sit third.
Hamilton overcame a poor first stop when his crew failed to clear a tire quickly to stay in the points. He moved as high as fifth after the second round of stops, when Maldonado took over the lead from Alonso, with Raikkonen still ahead of Grosjean.
Maldonado's third stop was far from graceful as he lost valuable time, returning to the track behind Raikkonen, who took the lead when Alonso stopped for the third and final time. But Maldonado passed Raikkonen on lap 47 to open up a gap on Alonso, who passed the Finn one lap later to stay on Maldonado's back.
The 27-year-old Maldonado drove with confidence down the final stretch despite Alonso bearing down on him. It was Alonso's fourth runner-up finish here, to go with a 2006 victory.
Michael Schumacher bowed out after running into the back of Bruno Senna's Williams on lap 14, the German driver's terrible season getting worse as he failed to finish for the third time while also knocking the Brazilian out of the race.
Nine hurt after fire
guts Williams garage
Nine people were hurt when the Williams garage was gutted by fire while the Formula One team was celebrating its first win in nearly eight years.
Team founder and principal Frank Williams, who is in a wheelchair, had been in the Circuit de Catalunya garage when it went up in flames but was wheeled to safety, his daughter Claire said.
“We have four people in the medical center at the moment receiving precautionary care and I believe one has been flown off to hospital but that has not been confirmed,” she said. The fire, with thick, acrid black smoke billowing out of the garage and across the paddock, started about 90 minutes after the end of the race. Team members had gathered for a photograph in the pit lane before the fire took hold.


Clic here to read the story from its source.