Massa wins Spanish Grand Prix
Massa wins Spanish Grand Prix
He spoiled the party of local boy and double world champion Fernando Alonso, who came in third.

New Delhi: Ferarri's Felippe Massa won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday with McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton coming in 6.790 seconds behind the Brazilian to take the runners-up spot.

It was Massa's second straight win of the 2007 season.

Massa spoiled the party of local boy and double world champion Fernando Alonso, who came in third at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Massa started on pole position and dominated the race till the end, falling behind only when he went into the pits.

Hamilton, who finished the runners-up for the third straight race, also became the youngest driver to lead the standings surpassing his team founder Bruce McLaren's record.

The 22-year-old Hamilton has 30 points with Alonso on second spot on 28 and Massa is third with 27.

With seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher watching from the stands many expected Alonso to duel for the title with Kimi Raikkonen, the German driver's replacement at Ferrari.

So far, the season hasn't followed the script.

"I keep saying I'm living my dream and it's really true," said Hamilton, who celebrated in pit lane with his family.

Massa pumped his fists as he stood atop his car before running into the arms of Ferrari boss Jean Todt to celebrate his fourth career win.

"For the second consecutive race weekend, Felipe Massa put in a flawless performance," Todt said.

Massa, who came sixth at the season-opening Australian GP, isn't getting too confident.

"We finished the race with only one car so it's a bit of concern," the 26-year-old Brazilian said. "Reliability is the key."

Raikkonen retired after nine laps due to an electrical fault

Unlike at the Malaysian GP where Alonso won, Massa defended his pole position against the Spaniard on Sunday. He pushed Alonso out wide and into the gravel after he tried to overtake the Brazilian and their tires touched around the first bend.

Alonso drove back onto the track and nearly sideswiped Hamilton and Raikkonen, who were running 2-3 after Hamilton overtook the Finn around the opening corner.

"After the first corner you have to risk too many things and it's difficult for all things to go well then," Alonso said. "If not for Kimi's retirement I would probably be off the podium."

Raikkonen joined Ferrari after a 2006 season mired with breakdowns with McLaren, something he was hoping to avoid with the Italian team.

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