Formula 1: new demonstration of Max Verstappen, untouchable on the Spanish Grand Prix

The weekends follow one another and look alike for Max Verstappen, who again climbed on the first step of the podium at the Spanish Grand Prix, Sunday June 4, in Barcelona. The Red Bull driver barely caught a glimpse of his competitors in the mirrors and won for the fifth time in seven races this season. It is ahead of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, performing well with the changes made to their single-seaters. The French Esteban Ocon (8^e) and Pierre Gasly (10^e) end in the dots.

As predicted by his results in free practice and qualifying, Max Verstappen had a very quiet Sunday at the head of the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. Apart from a small battle with Carlos Sainz at the first corner, the poleman was not worried and quickly took off. His lead allowed him to stop in the pits without losing the race lead and even to make a second stop which was not planned because his tires did not suit him. With soft tyres, he finally managed to set the fastest lap in the race.

Developments that have paid off for Mercedes

Behind him, the battle between the Mercedes, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) was more disputed, and it was finally the Silver Arrows who beat the competing single-seaters. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had very good stints and the good management of their tires allowed them to play the leading roles. After stopping, the two Britons easily passed Carlos Sainz on the track and resisted the return of Sergio Pérez. A result that rewards the changes made by the German team to its single-seater during the Monaco Grand Prix, with better aerodynamic downforce and improved airflow circulation.

“Leaving 12^e and go up 3^e, it’s much better than I imagined. I was impressed to see how much more and more speed we were gaining compared to Aston Martins and Ferraris”, commented George Russell, surprised, at the end of the race. Mercedes thus places its two drivers in the first three places when it had managed only one podium since the start of the season, with the second position of Lewis Hamilton in Australia.