May 22, (THEWILL) – Max Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday, ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
The Red Bull driver was a surprise winner after spending much of the race trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole. However, a power unit failure midway through the race forced the Monegasque to retire, allowing last season’s winner to team up with Sergio Perez to attack George Russell and take the lead.
The Dutchman was able to expand his lead over the Mercedes driver and pitted comfortably ahead of the resurgent German squad for new tyres. Verstappen chastised his team for DRS issues at one point, but completed the race in significantly better spirits.
The race’s conclusion was less spectacular than the beginning, when Kevin Magnussen collided with Lewis Hamilton, earning the Briton a five-second penalty. With Russell and Hamilton in third and fourth place, they appeared to be on track for a gratifying weekend until they were advised to reduce their efforts to a minimum due to a leak that threatened to result in a DNF and leave them susceptible.
In his home race, Verstappen finished first, Perez followed, for a Red Bull one-two. Russell finished third and Sainz finished fourth. Hamilton finished sixth, ahead of Valtteri Bottas, his former teammate.
