Spanish Grand Prix | Verstappen ahead of Hamilton and Russell

(Montmeló) 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 Jr. around turn one.

Lewis Hamilton, for Mercedes, was the second driver to cross the finish line, which allowed him to equal 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 look to add to his record in two weeks at the Grand Prix du Canada at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve track in Montreal.

Moreover, with this 40th 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 moved into 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,” Verstappen said. “Wish we could continue like this throughout the year. »

Sainz Jr. had to settle for fifth after being overtaken by both 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 get the upper hand from Verstappen by entering the race on faster, although less durable, tires than those of the leader.

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).