Max Verstappen dazzles in Spanish GP win as Lewis Hamilton impresses

Red Bull champion Max Verstappen was at his best again as he registered a dominant victory at the Spanish Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished second and third on a memorable day for Mercedes.

Verstappen led all 66 laps at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya to record victory and extend his championship lead.

It was a fifth victory in seven races this season for double defending world champion Verstappen, the Dutchman finishing 24 seconds ahead of Hamilton.

Mercedes driver Hamilton had said earlier in the week that he was more confident about the car for the race and the result showed why.

Seven-times world champion Hamilton started fourth but finished runner-up, with teammate Russell completing the podium places on a strong afternoon for the Silver Arrows.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finished fourth after moving ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz with a dozen laps remaining.

Verstappen’s lead over his Red Bull teammate Perez in the championship race now stands at 53 points.

“It is a big pleasure to drive a car like this,” said Verstappen. “It showed again today. A win here is incredible.

“I had another strong weekend and that is what I like and hopefully we can keep that up throughout the year.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Spanish Grand on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Reuters

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated at the Circuit de Catalunya to win the Spanish GP and extend his championship lead. Reuters

Max Verstappen leads the pack into turn one after the start of the Spanish GP. EPA

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished second in the Spanish GP on Sunday. Getty

Lewis Hamilton secured a podium finish for Mercedes along with teammate George Russell. EPA

Joao Felix, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount during the Spanish GP on Sunday. Getty

Mechanics work on the car of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. AP

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz during the Spanish GP. AP

Verstappen was also shown a black and white flag for exceeding track limits late in the race but the risk of a five second penalty was hardly going to trouble the Dutchman who was so far ahead.

“Well done Max. Very well controlled, even though you went over the white lines a few times,” said team boss Christian Horner.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, who started third on the grid, suffered a broken front wing on the first lap after contact with Hamilton and had to pit, sliding down the order and finishing 17th.

The form of the Mercedes drivers, with a re-designed car after a disappointing start to the season, was the highlight of the race.

Mercedes moved up to second in the championship on 152 points to runaway Red Bull’s 287 and with Aston Martin dropping to third on 134.

“Mega job guys, mega job,” said Hamilton over the radio. “Thank you so much to everyone back at the factory, continuing to push. This is a real showing for all your hard work. Let’s keep pushing.”

“What a result for our team,” he added. “We definitely did not expect that. The Red Bulls are still ahead but we will keep working at it and chasing them down.”

Russell went off into the gravel on his way to the grid but his car was undamaged and his pace strong.

“It definitely feels better,” he said of the car. “You are just putting in those lap times and comparing it to the guys around you – the Ferraris and Astons – and you are going quicker and quicker.”

Verstappen was in control from the start and by lap 11 led Sainz by 5.3 seconds with Hamilton, thanks to a sweeping pass on Lance Stroll on lap eight, in third.

By the halfway stage, Verstappen led by 13.7 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was six clear of Sainz and pulling away. Russell, fourth, passed the Spaniard under braking at turn one on lap 35, confirming his team’s outright speed.

Verstappen, who had complained of sliding on his worn hards, came in for his final stop on lap 53, taking softs to reach the finish. He was more than 16 seconds clear of Hamilton when he re-joined for his cruise to the flag.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started from the pitlane after a nightmare in qualifying left him on the back row, finished 11th.

Aston Martin’s Stroll was sixth, one spot ahead of home favourite and teammate Fernando Alonso, who, despite a move on Esteban Ocon of Alpine in the latter stages, provided the packed grandstands with little to cheer as he registered his worst finish of the season.