Red Bull’s Max Verstappen produced a dominant performance to ease to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed the podium in an improved Mercedes display.
The world championship leader led from start to finish, after topping all three practice sessions and Qualifying at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, eventually finishing 25 seconds clear of Hamilton.
The victory, which came with an additional point as Verstappen set the fastest lap in the final stages, extended his world championship lead to 53 points over team-mate Sergio Perez, who recovered from starting 11th to finish fourth.
While they were no match for Verstappen, Mercedes showed massive improvements in their heavily upgraded car, with the W14 clearly the second fastest on the track as they pulled comfortably clear of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who finished fifth.
Also unable to match Mercedes were Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll finishing sixth, and in front of team-mate Fernando Alonso for the first time this season, with the Spaniard seventh after a challenging weekend at his home race.
Esteban Ocon maintained Alpine’s recent upturn in form to finish eighth, while team-mate Pierre Gasly took the final point after Yuki Tsunoda received a five-second penalty for impeding Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, who claimed an impressive ninth.
Verstappen’s win extends Red Bull’s streak to seven victories to start the 2023 season, with the Dutchman in imperious form as he continues his quest for a third successive drivers’ title.
Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship grows to 135 points, with Mercedes moving above Aston Martin into second.
Spanish GP Race Result
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3) George Russell, Mercedes
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
9) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
10) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
(Skysport)
