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VALENCIA, Spain - Ferrari's Fernando Alonso won a thrilling European Grand Prix here on Sunday, the Spanish driver becoming the first repeat winner of a wide open season.
The home favourite, adding this victory on the streets of Valencia to his success in Malaysia in March, takes over at the top of the drivers' standings after coming in clear of Kimi Raikkonen in a Lotus.
In third came seven-time former champion Michael Schumacher for Mercedes, the veteran German earning his first podium since his comeback.
There was major disappointment for McLaren's Lewis Hamilton who was racing in third when crashing out in the closing stages.
Alonso drove a superb race, forging through from 11th place on the grid to lead when pole-setter Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull packed up on lap 35.
The two-time former champion now leads the 2012 championship on 111 points from Red Bull's Mark Webber in second on 91 with Hamilton treading water on 88 and Vettel four points behind in fourth place.
 
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