Fernando Alonso has earned his 32nd Formula One victory on his home turf…

Following an incredible start, the 31-year-old Spanish Formula One race driver secured a victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, allowing him to climb 13 points closer to the leader in the rankings, Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who finished fourth.

It’s Alonso’s second triumph of the season after taking the Chinese Grand Prix title earlier this year, as well as his and this is his 89th time on the podium in his career.

Vettel leads with 89 points after five races and Alonso is now just 17 points behind him and in third place.

“I’m very happy with the win because it’s been a very good race. We came out really well, which we had predicted, moving up on rivals and everything came out OK on the second and third curve,” said Alonso.

The Ferrari team had an extraordinary race, with Alonso’s Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa finishing third, just behind Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, driving for Lotus and finishing second in his third consecutive race.

“We knew that we’d have good rhythm with four pit stops, and we knew that others would do three. Coming back to win at home has been incredible,” the Spanish driver said.

This is Alonso’s 32nd career victory, after starting out in the sport in 2001 and securing his first win in the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003.

Alonso repeated his victory in the Barcelona race, where he’d won once before in 2006, while driving for Renault.

“I know that, for many, it’s an effort with the way things are. I thank you and hope there will be much additional joy this year that that you enjoy it, both on the circuit and on the TV,” Alonso said.