• Spanish Grand Prix

Raikkonen wins from pole

Raikkonen took a lights to flag victory © Sutton Images

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• Spanish Grand Prix

The Circuit de Catalunya rarely produces inspiring Formula One races due to its nature of high-speed corners and few passing places. Therefore, it was no surprise that the Ferrari on pole of Kimi Raikkonen was the car to beat in Spain - the reigning world champion pulled away from the opposition to win by three seconds from team mate Felipe Massa.

Massa made a good start from third, moving ahead of Fernando Alonso - who had risen to the encouragement of his home crowd to qualify second. However, the Renault had done its time on low fuel and it didn't have the genuine pace to stay with the Ferraris. He was dropping down the field when an engine failure ended a disappointing race.

Drama befell Heikki Kovalainen whose McLaren's tyre exploded on lap 22. The car plunged off the road at over 145 mph and ploughed into the tyre barrier. Kovalainen was unhurt but could remember little about the accident. "I need to look at the video to find out what happened," he said after being released from hospital.

The ensuing safety car period closed the pit lane under the prevailing regulations, but Nick Heidfeld was forced to pit his BMW Sauber otherwise he would have run out of fuel. As a result he received a drive through penalty which spoilt his race and dropped him to ninth.

Lewis Hamilton completed the three podium finishers but never had the pace to match the Ferraris, while Robert Kubica continued BMW Sauber's improved form by taking fourth.

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