Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, the defending double world champion, extended his lead in this year’s title race with a flawless performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The 25-year-old Dutch driver drove his Red Bull car to a commanding victory, completing a hat-trick of wins and securing his fifth victory in seven races this season.
Verstappen led the race from start to finish, crossing the line with a comfortable 24-second gap ahead of Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion, and George Russell, both driving improved Mercedes cars.
It marked Verstappen’s 40th career win and his third triumph at the Spanish circuit. Despite receiving three official warnings for exceeding track limits, the Dutchman showcased his skill and dominated the race.
Expressing his delight, Verstappen commented, “It’s such a big pleasure to drive a car like this. And it showed again today. We were on different tyre strategies out there today, and mostly I was on the right one! And to win here is incredible.”
Hamilton’s second-place finish earned him his 11th podium in Spain, where he has previously won six times. He acknowledged the strong performance of Red Bull and their ability to challenge Mercedes, saying, “Oh, man, what an awesome crowd and result. And I didn’t expect that, so hats off to the team and our factory for pushing us so close to the ‘Bulls. We are chasing them down—and George did a great job too today.”
Russell, starting 12th on the grid, surprised himself by claiming third place. He credited his team for providing him with a great car and expressed his satisfaction with the result.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez showcased his skill by climbing through the field from 11th on the grid to finish fourth. He was followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, and two-time champion Fernando Alonso, representing Aston Martin.
The race began in hot conditions with a looming possibility of rain. Verstappen made a clean start, fending off Sainz in the first corner, while Hamilton overtook Norris, resulting in a minor collision. Despite some early incidents, Verstappen quickly established his dominance, building a substantial lead over his rivals.
By the midpoint of the race, Verstappen had a comfortable 13.7-second advantage over Hamilton, who was steadily pulling away from Sainz in third. Russell’s impressive performance saw him surpass Sainz and secure fourth place.
Verstappen made his final pit stop on lap 53, opting for soft tires to bring him to the finish line. Rejoining the race with a substantial lead over Hamilton, he maintained his composure and cruised to victory.
Despite his remarkable performance, Verstappen received a third black-and-white warning flag in the closing laps. His team reminded him to exercise caution and keep within the track limits. Verstappen responded with the fastest lap of the race before receiving the message to bring the car home safely.
Verstappen’s dominant victory further solidified his position as the current championship frontrunner, leaving his competitors trailing by 53 points. With his exceptional form, the Dutch driver aims to continue his winning streak and maintain his title challenge in the upcoming races.
