F1 Spanish GP: Verstappen on ‘another level’ as win gives rivals no hope for title

Max Verstappen and Red Bull flexed their muscles in one of the most dominant displays to put the championship out of reach.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix race at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 4, 2023 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona. (Photo by Lluis GENE / AFP)

Max Verstappen has demolished his competition to win the Spanish Grand Prix with ease and extend his lead in the F1 championship to 53 points.

Verstappen was untouchable all weekend in Barcelona and led from start to finish to claim his third race win in a row and fifth of the season.

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Lewis Hamilton finished second and George Russell was third, completing Mercedes’ first double podium of the season.

Sergio Perez was fourth, allowing Verstappen’s stranglehold on the championship race to grow.

Such was his dominance, Verstappen won by a massive 24 seconds.

Naomi Schiff said on Sky Sports: “It’s frightening to see just how far ahead he is with his Red Bull.”

It's victory for Max Verstappen in Spain! 🏆 5th win of the year and the fastest lap puts him 53 points clear of Perez at the top of the championship.

Theoretically, Perez could win the next seven races and still not regain the points lead #F1#SpanishGP

— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) June 4, 2023

Verstappen fastest in FP1
Verstappen fastest in FP2
Verstappen fastest in FP3
Verstappen fastest in qualifying
Verstappen fastest lap
Verstappen wins

Another level.

— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) June 4, 2023

It was a tough day for McLaren. Lando Norris started third on the grid but his race was ruined after he made contact with Hamilton on the opening lap and had to come into the pits to replace his front wing.

Oscar Piastri started ninth and drove a solid race with several overtakes, but finished 13th and out of the points as he was passed by Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc in the closing stages.

Pure dominance from Max Verstappen. (Photo by Lluis GENE / AFP)

Spanish Grand Prix results (top 10)

1) Max Verstappen

2) Lewis Hamilton

3) George Russell

4) Sergio Perez

5) Carlos Sainz

6) Lance Stroll

7) Fernando Alonso

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Zhou Guanyu

10) Pierre Gasly

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were back on the podium. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Lap 61/66 - Piastri out of the points

Oscar Piastri has driven a solid race but won’t finish in the top 10 after getting overtaken bt Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc. The Aussie is 13th.

Verstappen is cruising to victory ahead of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Lap 49/66 - Piastri overtaken by Gasly

After being held up for 10 laps, Pierre Gasly eventually got past Oscar Piastri to move into 11th place.

Piastri might need some pit stops ahead of him to finish in the top 10.

Lap 38/66 - Pit stop time

It’s that stage of the race where drivers have to decide whether to take a third pit stop or make their tyres last with just two stops.

Piastri is up into seventh, but will fight to finish in the top 10 with Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc close behind him.

Lap 22/66 - Piastri solid

Verstappen is absolutely flying in the lead ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz.

After pitting, Oscar Piastri has worked his way back up to 11th with a pair of lovely overtakes past Haas duo Niko Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.

OSCAR. PIASTRI. ON. THE. CHARGE.#SpanishGP 🇪🇸

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 4, 2023

His teammate Norris is complaining of slow pace and is in 20th having already pitted twice.

Charles Leclerc started from the pit lane but has moved up to 14th.

Lap 17/66 - Verstappen dominating

Verstappen is dominating out in front but the battle for second is shaping up as a beauty.

Plenty of drivers have pitted already, with some drivers set to make three pit stops in the race.

Oscar Piastri got as high as sixth place before he made his first pit stop.

Lap 5/66 - Disaster for Norris

Lando Norris started third but his race might already be over after he sustained damage and had to come into the pits to replace his front wing.

Norris made contact with Lewis Hamilton when the Mercedes overtook him on the opening lap.

David Croft said in commentary on Sky Sports: “It’s the worst possible start for him. Absolute disappointment for Lando Norris. He’s gone down to the bottom of the pack.”

Martin Brundle said: “Oh dear, that’s an awful start to Lando Norris’ afternoon.”

Look away now, @LandoNorris fans 💥😫

Lewis holds onto P4 but the McLaren man drops to the back of the grid.#SpanishGPpic.twitter.com/5YTPKeLMEz

— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) June 4, 2023

Verstappen leads from Carlos Sainz and Hamilton, who is showing strong pace.

Oscar Piastri dropped from ninth to 12th but managed to pass Niko Hulkenberg with a nice overtaking move using DRS on lap 8.

9.25pm - Ferrari star to start last

Charles Leclerc had a shocker in qualifying, failing to progress from the first session and finishing 19th fastest.

It was his first Q1 elimination in 83 races since the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc and Ferrari were unsure what exactly was wrong with his car, but they have replaced the entire rear end of the car as there was not enough time to check what might have caused the inconsistent rear and grip he suffered from.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is in for a tough race. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Ferrari are also using Leclerc’s pit lane start to bank a new control electronics and energy store.

That would normally bring a 15-place grid penalty, but he is already starting from the back of the grid.

“For now, we don’t have the answers,” Leclerc said.

“We’ve just removed the parts and will analyse it at Maranello (Ferrari’s factory). I am sure with the changes made, the feeling will come back.”

“Top 5 is optimistic but I will do my best.”

Logan Sargeant will also start from pit lane after Williams changed his suspension and brake cooling.