Alonso Wins Spanish GP pole

Topics:  Spanish Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso

VOA Sports
Voice of America
May 13, 2006

World driving champion Fernando Alonso of Spain has won the pole for Sunday's running of the Spanish Grand Prix Formula 1 race in Barcelona.

Alonso, competing in his native Spain for the first time since winning the driving title, completed the (4.627 kilometer) Circuit de Catalunya in one minute, 14.648 seconds or more than 222 kilometers per hour.

Alonso's Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy was second fastest (1:14.709) with Michael Schumacher of Germany third in his Ferrari (1:14.970). Brazilian Felipe Massa in a Ferrari completed the second row.

Last year, Alonso became the youngest driver and the first Spaniard to win the Formula 1 title.  However, he has finished behind seven-time champion Schumacher the past two races.  Alonso leads the season drivers' standings with 44 points while Schumacher is second with 31.

Some information provided by AP.