Pastor Maldonado's victory was the first Formula One win for a Venezuelan driver and Williams's first race win since 2004.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Pastor Maldonado (Williams)
- Attendance
- 82,000 people
- Race distance
- 66 laps
- Championship round
- 5th of the 2012 season
- Winning margin
- 3.1 seconds over Fernando Alonso
- Williams's previous win
- 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix (Montoya)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest qualifying time but was excluded from the qualifying results after his McLaren was found to have breached technical regulations regarding fuel. This penalty forced Hamilton to start from the back of the grid, elevating Pastor Maldonado to pole position ahead of the race.
Held on 13 May 2012 at the Circuit de Catalunya, Maldonado led from pole after initially being passed by Alonso at the start. A strategic undercut during pit stops gave Maldonado the advantage, and despite a slow third pit stop, he retook the lead by passing Räikkönen on lap 47, ultimately winning by 3.1 seconds over Alonso, with Räikkönen third.
The victory was Maldonado's maiden and, as of 2025, only Formula One win, and the first by a Venezuelan driver. It ended a winless stretch for Williams dating back to 2004. In the championship standings, Vettel and Alonso drew level on 61 points, while Red Bull maintained its Constructors' lead with 109 points and 15 races remaining.