Results of the 2009 European F1 Grand Prix.

It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Rubens Barrichello claimed victory in Valencia for his first chequered flag in five years and the 10th of his record breaking career of more than 250 starts. Poor Lewis Hamilton had to settle for second after a bungled pitstop cost him vital seconds and the race lead.

A distant third was Kimi Raikkonen, one of this former champion's best finishes this season. He was closely followed by fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen in another revived McLaren and Nico Rosberg's Williams.

But the most relieved points finisher was title leader Jenson Button who finished seventh ahead of Robert Kubica, and one place behind homeboy Fernando Alonso. Most significantly for his Brawn team is that neither of the Red Bull's landed points, as Sebatian Vettel retired with a blown engine and Mark Webber slipped to ninth.

Hamilton again displayed a dominant return to form of the McLarens which occupied the front row of the grid. Barrichello was able to snatch second early on from third, but Button suffered a disastrous start, dropping from fifth to ninth. Vettel, who started fourth was the biggest loser.

Although Barrichello was able to stay out longer than Hamilton he was unable to pass the Briton until the hastily planned McLaren pitstop went awry and gifted him the lead, and he held on despite a Hamilton charge. There were few other passing thrills on this new street circuit.

Barrichello's victory signals a return to form of the Brawns, and restores a comfortable 27 point lead over rivals Red Bull. It also leapfrogs Barrichello into second place in the Drivers' Title, 18 points behind Button's 72. Webber remains a further 2.5 points behind and Vettel, 6.5 points away from challenging for the championship.

Results from Valencia

1. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes, 3 1:35:51.289
2. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1 1:35:53.647
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:36:07.283
4. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:36:11.321
5. Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota, 1:36:12.159
6. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1:36:19.033
7. Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:36:26.202
8. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:36:27.956
9. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:36:36.199
10.Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:36:39.224
11.Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:36:40.111
12.Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes, 1:36:54.903
13.Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 1:36:55.816
14.Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:37:17.808
15.Romain Grosjean, Renault, 1:37:23.033
16.Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, lapped
17.Luca Badoer, Ferrari, lapped
18. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota, lapped
RET Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari 15 retired, 41 laps
RET Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, retired, 23 laps