Jun 5

Jun 5 Max Verstappen in a class of his own in Spanish Grand Prix victory

Max Verstappen was unchallenged throughout the sixty-six laps of the Spanish Grand Prix, taking victory in a class of his own ahead of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Max Verstappen was in a class of his own on the path to victory in Spain. *(Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)*

Verstappen charged away from Carlos Sainz at the start, building a gap that at times put him two pit stops ahead of the chasing pack.

The championship leader had to tread carefully in the final stages after receiving a black and white flag for track limits violations, but went on to set the fastest lap and claim the bonus point.

In cooling conditions and with a two-stop strategy expected for the grand prix, teams varied greatly on tyre compounds, with the chasing pack of Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Sergio Perez separated by five to ten seconds in the middle stage of the race.

Russell threw a spanner in the works when he moved onto the soft tyre and chased down Sergio Perez for third, forcing the Red Bull driver to follow him into the pits and setup a duel to the finish for the final podium position.

Perez put up a fight after starting 11th on the grid, but could only manage fourth, two seconds behind his Mercedes rival. For Mercedes, it marks the team’s first double-podium finish of the 2023 season.

Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell celebrate on the podium in Barcelona. *(Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)*

Max Verstappen leads the field away to start the Spanish Grand Prix. *(Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)*

Carlos Sainz was fifth with Lance Stroll in sixth and Fernando Alonso in seventh, the Aston Martin pair experiencing their worst race so far this season and falling behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.

Oscar Piastri was 13th as McLaren struggled for race pace, with teammate Lando Norris 17th after contact on the opening lap with Lewis Hamilton saw him make an early pit stop for a new front wing.

More to come…

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2023 FIA Formula One World Championship - Round 8 Spanish Grand Prix Result