Alonso takes control after rivals struggle

Fernando Alonso became the first repeat winner of the 2012 Formula 1 season as he took victory in the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

It was another race of high drama from start to finish as it looked to be going Sebastian Vettel's way until a safety car interrupted proceedings.

The German led by almost 20 seconds at that stage, but an incident involving Heikki Kovalainen and Jean-Eric Vergne bunched the pack up behind the safety car.

Alonso and Lewis Hamilton jumped in the pits and Alonso came out first after a front jack problem held up the McLaren man.

The Spaniard then performed a fine manoeuvre on Romain Grosjean to move up to second, and then drove past Vettel after the Red Bull driver had an unfortunate mechanical problem.

Grosjean would also retire shortly afterwards, but the drama was not over.

Hamilton's tyres began to go off in the closing stages and Kimi Raikkonen took advantage to move into second spot.

Hamilton was then hit when trying to hold off Pastor Maldonado, enabling Michael Schumacher to claim his first podium since returning to the spot.

Maldonado was later handed a 20 second penalty for the incident, dropping him down from 10th to 12th in the standings.

Nico Rosberg picked up the two bonus Fantasy League points for setting the fastest lap of the race.

Timo Glock did not start the race because of illness.