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Barcelona - Two-time champion Fernando Alonso thrilled a massive 95 000 flag-waving home crowd on Sunday when he drove his Ferrari to a dominant victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.
It was the Spaniard's second win of the season, in five races, and the 32nd win of his career - a triumph that endorsed his challenge for a third drivers' title on an afternoon of Spanish supremacy at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Driving with great aplomb, Alonso delivered a beautifully-judged performance to win a tactical contest dominated by tyre-wear management, finishing 9.338 seconds ahead of second placed Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus.
Alonso said: "What a fantastic feeling, you feel the support from everybody, we wanted to do well here in front of our fans, so many people supporting Ferrari."
Alonso's Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa started from ninth, but finished third ahead of defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber.
Alonso's win bucked a trend at the Catalan circuit where 18 of the previous 22 events were won the driver who started from pole position. This time the pole-sitting German Nico Rosberg of Mercedes finished sixth ahead of Paul Di Resta of Force India.
Jenson Button finished a measured eighth for McLaren ahead of his team-mate Sergio Perez with Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso completing the top ten finishers.
Lewis Hamilton, who started from second alongside Rosberg, struggled home in 12th on a disappointing day for him and Mercedes.
Alonso picked up a Spanish flag from a steward on his slowing down lap and ignited national celebrations as he completed his tour of the crowded circuit.
In the drivers' championship, Alonso jumped to third with 72 points behind leader Vettel on 89 and Raikkonen on 85.
Results of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday:
1. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) 1hr 39min 16.596sec
2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus) at 9.338
3. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 26.049
4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull) 38.273
5. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull) 47.963
6. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1:08.020
7. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India) 1:08.988
8. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) 1:19.506
9. Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren) 1:21.738
10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso) 1 lap
11. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) 1 lap
12. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1 lap
13. Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India) 1 lap
14. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams) 1 lap
15. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 1 lap
17. Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham) 1 lap
18. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) 2 laps
19. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia) 2 laps
Results from Spanish Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday:
Overall standings:
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 89.0pts, 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 85.0, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 72.0, 4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 50.0, 5. Felipe Massa (BRA) 45.0, 6. Mark Webber (AUS) 42.0, 7. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 26.0, 8. Paul di Resta (GBR) 26.0, 9. Nico Rosberg (GER) 22.0, 10. Jenson Button (GBR) 17.0, 11. Sergio Perez (MEX) 12.0, 12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 7.0, 13. Adrian Sutil (GER) 6.0, 14. Nico Hlkenberg (GER) 5.0, 15. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 1.0
Constructors
1. Red Bull 131.0pts, 2. Ferrari 117.0, 3. Lotus 111.0, 4. Mercedes 72.0, 5. Force India 32.0, 6. McLaren 29.0, 7. Toro Rosso 8.0, 8. Sauber 5.0
