F1: Verstappen defeats Hamilton to win Spanish GP

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen easily beat his arch-rival Lewis Hamilton to win the Spanish GP for the 2nd year in a row by over 24 seconds in his Red Bull Honda.

Verstappen always had Hamilton’s Mercedes under control, and he showed the real pace he had in hand by setting the race’s fastest lap late in the race despite his team discouraging him from doing it.

It was Verstappen’s third straight win, his 40th career win and he did it by leading the race from lights out to the checkered flag as he stretches his point lead at the front to 53 points over Perez, 170 vs. 117. Fernando Alonso is in 3rd with 99 points.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-23 and the rest of the field into turn one at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 04, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“It’s a big pleasure to drive with a car like this,” said Verstappen.

“A win here, it’s incredible. A strong weekend from myself, from the team. Hopefully we can keep this up.”

Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 04, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“What an awesome crowd we have here,” said a happy Hamilton. “And what a result for our team, I just want to take my hat off to my team back at the factory, for continuing to push.

“The Bulls are still a bit ahead, but we’ll keep chasing them down. They are still too quick at the moment, but one step at a time.”

George Russell started P12 and  held off Sergio Perez for the final podium position to give Mercedes two podium positions as their upgraded car is performing well.

“A little bit surprised, kudos to the team for giving me a good car today,” said Russell.

“P12, all the way to P3, a sign of things to come. Really pleased I’m on the podium.”

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr. during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 04, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

While Perez recovered to fourth from 11th on the grid, it was still not a perfect weekend from the Mexican, and perfection is what he needs to take the fight to Verstappen this year.

Carlos Sainz Jr. was 5th for Ferrari in a disappointing day for the Spanish drivers in front of their Spanish fans. The other Spaniard, Fernando Alonso, could only finish 7th behind his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23, leads Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19

McLaren’s Lando Norris started 3rd but his race fell apart by breaking his wing on Hamilton’s Mercedes in turn 1. Oscar Piastri was the best McLaren in 13th while Norris could only manage 18th – a disastrous result after a promising qualifying.

That ‘B’ spec McLaren car can’t come quickly enough – but they still need to get through Canada and Austria before it supposedly arrives in time for Silverstone.

Proof of concept – the new-look Mercedes W14 delivered, both drivers were happier, they were comfortably ahead of Ferrari and Aston Martin and are now second in the constructors’ championship.

F1 now takes a week off before flying out to Canada for the next race, and that will be fascinating. Can anyone close the gap to Red Bull? Will Mercedes still be in front or can Ferrari begin to address their weaknesses in race trim?

Race Results – 66 Laps

POS DRIVER NAT. TEAM BEHIND
1 Max Verstappen NED Oracle Red Bull Racing +0.000s
2 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team +24.090s
3 George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team +32.389s
4 Sergio Perez MEX Oracle Red Bull Racing +35.812s
5 Carlos Sainz ESP Scuderia Ferrari +45.698s
6 Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant +63.320s
7 Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant +64.127s
8 Esteban Ocon FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team +69.242s
9 Zhou Guanyu CHN Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake +71.878s
10 Pierre Gasly FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team +73.530s
11 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari +74.419s
12 Yuki Tsunoda JPN Scuderia AlphaTauri 75.416s
13 Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren F1 Team +1 Lap
14 Nyck de Vries NED Scuderia AlphaTauri +1 Lap
15 Nico Hulkenberg GER MoneyGram Haas F1 Team +1 Lap
16 Alex Albon THA Williams Racing +1 Lap
17 Kevin Magnussen DEN MoneyGram Haas F1 Team +1 Lap
18 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team +1 Lap
19 Valtteri Bottas FIN Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake +1 Lap
20 Logan Sargeant USA Williams Racing +1 Lap

Note – Verstappen scored an additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race.

Verstappen on pace to destroy Hamilton’s F1 records

Age Hamilton Wins Verstappen Wins
18 0 1
19 0 3
20 0 5
21 0 8
22 4 10
23 9 20
24 11 31
25 14 40 and counting
26 17 TBD
27 21 TBD
28 22 TBD
29 33 TBD
30 43 TBD
31 53 TBD
32 62 TBD
33 73 TBD
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