Venezuela is also home to Formula 1 driver, Pastor Maldonado.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.
In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Venezuelan Rubén Limardo won a gold medal in fencing.