Fernando Alonso dominates German Grand Prix

GlobalPost

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso became the first Formula 1 driver to win three races this season as he captured the German Grand Prix today at Hockenheim.

The 30-year-old Spaniard won from pole position to extend his overall lead in the season standings.

He outlasted Team Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, the two-time defending champion, and hometown hero Michael Schumacher, who now races for Mercedes.

“We’ll enjoy the win,” Alonso said, according to Agence France-Presse. “Starting on pole was the key factor because it was difficult to overtake and we were not the fastest, but we kept the position.”

Vettel finished in second place, 3.7 seconds behind Alonso, while Briton Jenson Button with McLaren-Mercedes was third, 6.9 seconds back.

Alonso has also won in Malaysia and the European GP in Valencia, Spain.

More from GlobalPost: Alonso wins European Grand Prix in Spain

Button disputed Vettel’s late pass, saying the German driver went too wide on the penultimate lap and F1 should penalize him.

Race officials are investigating the allegation.

“There’s nothing to say really,” Button said, according to Autosport.com. “The TV camera says it all. I’d rather talk about the race.”

Vettel had his own beef.

He blasted McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton for clogging up the race after mechanical troubles sent the Englishman a lap behind the leaders.

Hamilton retired from the race after 56 laps.

“I don’t see the point in him trying to race us,” Vettel told BBC. “It is a bit stupid to race the leaders. … If you want to go quick, and you are a lap down and there is no chance to win the race, you should respect it and use common sense. I didn’t expect him to attack.”

F1 moves to Belgium on Aug. 31. There are five races remaining this season.

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