- Max Verstappen has won the Spanish GP ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez, Mercede’s Lewis Hamilton finished sixth
- Charles Leclerc had been on course to win before his Ferrari suffered an engine failure in Barcelona
- Verstappen currently leads the championship for the very first time this year, with a six-point lead over Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton fought back to fifth place after a first-lap puncture caused by colliding with Kevin Magnussen
Max Verstappen took the world championship lead after raiding to victory in a fascinating Spanish Grand Prix that saw Lewis Hamilton come from last to the fifth position despite wanting to retire!
After Hamilton’s teammate George Russell, who finished in the third position, put up a brave and stunning race for Mercedes, it took all of the Dutchman’s fighting spirit – and his Red Bull team’s corporate strategy to victory.
Max Verstappen had a difficult start at the Spanish GP but did well at the end. Photo: Sportskeeda
Verstappen was also helped by a stroke of luck, as a front Leclerc retired while on lap 27 of 66.
Russell took the lead on lap 28 after Leclerc retired due to unidentified power unit issues.
But Red Bull brought in Verstappen for new tyres, and the world champion won his third race.
Despite occasional difficulties with a non-functioning DRS, he did so that tested his perseverance to the limit. He yelled obscenities over the radio and cranked up the engine.
The most exciting duel in the hot weather occurred on lap 24 when Verstappen, for the first time, found himself behind George Russell on the 200mph start straight.
Verstappen accelerated into the first corner. Russell, who had moved up to the third position at the beginning, boldly kept his feet on the ground and crawled ahead at the second bend.
He then held on as each of the 24-year-olds avoided interaction in their close dance.
Today was Russell’s most enjoyable day since having joined Mercedes at the beginning of this season.
His car improved due to increasing upgrades but not enough to prevent Sergio Perez from having to complete a Red Bull one-two, 13 seconds behind Verstappen. Russell was 20 seconds behind.
Lewis Hamilton finished p5 in the Spanish GP. Photo: MARCA
Lewis Hamilton, the resurrected driver, collided with Kevin Magnussen’s Haas on the first lap.
The collision in Turn 4 caused a puncture. He dashed to the pits and was almost a minute behind schedule.
Hamilton was likely to finish fourth had he not been told to lift, and shoreline as the sands ran out of fuel.
Carlos Sainz, whom he had managed to pass, quickly passed Hamilton on the final lap.
Verstappen now has a six-point lead over Leclerc as Formula One heads to Monaco next weekend.
Charles Leclerc, who resides in the province, lamented his bad fortune but provided few explanations.
Top 10 in the 2022 Spanish GP
1) Red Bull’s Max Verstappen
2) Red Bull’s Sergio Perez
3) Mercedes George Russell
4) Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz
5) Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton
6) Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas
7) Alpine’s Esteban Ocon
8) McLaren’s Lando Norris
9) Alpine’s Fernando Alonso
10) AlphaTauri Yuki Tsunoda
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