Dutchman Max Verstappen led from start to finish and won the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday to solidify his hold atop the Drivers’ Championship standings.
At the wheel of his Red Bull, the reigning double world champion has never been threatened on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit after winning his fight against the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz son towards turn number one.
Lewis Hamilton, for Mercedes, was the second driver to cross the finish line, which allowed him to match his best performance of the season. His teammate George Russell completed the podium.
Starting from fifth position, Quebecer Lance Stroll, on Aston Martin, finished the race in sixth place just ahead of his teammate Fernando Alonso.
For the latter, this is his worst ranking of the season, all in front of a legion of loyal supporters.
Verstappen has now won five of the first seven races on the calendar and will try to add to his record in two weeks at the Canadian Grand Prix, on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve track in Montreal.
Moreover, with this 40e career triumph — and his third in Barcelona — Verstappen came within one win of the late Ayrton Senna’s tally.
Verstappen is also in good position to equal Senna’s three world championship titles during his career.
By triumphing in Monaco last week, Verstappen had risen to first place in the number of victories with Red Bull, ahead of Sebastian Vettel.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate and winner of the other two races this season, finished in fourth place.
Verstappen now has a 55-point lead over Perez in the drivers standings.
“It’s a great pleasure to drive a car like this, and you could see that on a day like this,” said Verstappen. “We hope to be able to continue like this throughout the year. »
Sainz junior had to settle for fifth place after he was overtaken by the two Mercedes and Perez’s Red Bull.
As expected, given the higher speed of the Red Bull, the outcome of the 66-lap race was largely decided on the 595-metre long straight section between the start line and turn one.
Sainz Jr. tried to gain the upper hand over Verstappen by entering the race on tires that were faster, though less durable, than those of the pole-sitter.
Sainz Jr. found himself alongside Verstappen after the long straight into turn one, but the Red Bull held off the Ferrari and held on to the lead.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) finished the race in eighth place, ahead of Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine).