MONTMELO, Spain – Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the Spanish F1 Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Lando Norris (McLaren) and increases his lead at the top of the championship thanks to this 7th victory of the season.
The Dutch pilot, already a three-time world champion, dominated the proceedings, quickly taking command after the start while Norris, who started in the lead position, messed up his takeoff. He thus triumphed for a seventh time in 10 races this season. Lewis Hamilton took 3rd place ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
“The race was decided in the first laps,” admitted Verstappen who won his third victory in a row on the Montmelo circuit in the suburbs of Barcelona.
“I managed my tires well and that allowed me to win today,” he underlined when he had to face in the last laps the return of Norris who only finished two seconds from him.
“We should have won this race, but I had a bad start, it’s as simple as that,” Norris regretted. However, he hoped he could beat Verstappen at the next two Grand Prix in Austria next week and in Great Britain in a fortnight.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton returns to the podium for the first time since last year’s Mexican GP. This confirms the return to form of Mercedes who, however, cannot yet threaten Red Bull and McLaren.
The two Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished in 9th and 10th position respectively, showing, after Canada a fortnight ago, that they are going back on track after a catastrophic start to the season.
As for the Ferraris, they were again disappointing with a 5th place for Charles Leclerc ahead of his Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz. As a result, Norris takes 2nd place in the provisional championship standings from Leclerc.
Quebecer Lance Stroll settled for 14th position after starting from 14th place on the starting grid. His Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso finished 12th.
The F1 circus will now move to Spielberg for the Austrian GP, which takes place next week.
