Max Verstappen has won the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix ahead of pole-sitter Lando Norris and Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton.
The race began with a good start for both Norris and Verstappen, but then an impressive George Russell overtook both drivers around the outside through turns 1 and 2. The chase was immediately on, and the British driver’s leadership didn’t last, at the reigning champion overtook him on lap 3.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had a scary moment on lap 7, as they battled for position and the Spaniard had to take the escape road, unable to overtake his teammate.
The pit window then opened and it was Russell the first to box on lap 16; two laps later it was Verstappen who also pitted, re-joining in P4 as Norris, who was yet to pit, had taken the lead.
It didn’t last long though – the McLaren pitted on lap 24 and re-joined the track P6, starting a recovery drive in which he overtook the Ferraris and then Hamilton for P3.
Then, the battle for P2 began between Norris and Russell on lap 35, and it was the papaya-colored car who came ahead. He then began chasing Verstappen, but the Red Bull’s superiority was no match for the McLaren around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Lap 52 arrived and Hamilton overtook Russell for the last place of the podium. Then, the number 63 was chased by Ferrari’s Leclerc, who attempted an overtake on the straight with DRS in the final lap but failed to achieve it.
In the end, it was another victory for Verstappen, with Norris and Hamilton completing the podium.
There were no retirements in the race. The Dutchman’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, finished in P8 – a noticeable contrast.