Venezuela is also home to Formula 1 driver, Pastor Maldonado.[215] At the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, he claimed his first pole and victory and became the first and only Venezuelan to have done so in the history of Formula 1.[215] Maldonado has increased the reception of Formula 1 in Venezuela, helping to popularize the sport in the nation.[216]
In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Venezuelan Rubén Limardo won a gold medal in fencing.