The Spanish GP race also ends with Max Verstappen who crosses the finish line in first position. SuperMax conquers the third win in a row in Barcelona and the number 61 in career. Immediately behind Lando Norris who runs a masterful race, with an incredible pace. However, it is not enough for a Verstappen like that. The podium closes Lewis Hamilton, which comes back to us later 12 races. Behind him is his companion George Russell. The two Ferraris that finish are anonymous fifth and sixth position, respectively with Leclerc e Sainz. Behind them Oscar piastri comeback from the tenth e Sergio Perez in the octave. Double points placement for Alpine, with Gasly ahead of Ocon.
Spanish GP race start: Russell does something magical, but then Max takes the lead
A spectacular start George Russell. From the fourth square it takes the trail of both Norris that of Verstappen. He moves to the outside and passes them both with a pass masterpiece. On the third lap, however, Max passes him with the DRS and begins to set his pace. Instead, it is a fight between the two Ferrari. Sainz passes Leclerc, the two have a light rubber-wing touch, but nothing happens. However, the #55 takes the escape route and finishes the pass on the #16. Some radio teams with bickering between the two red drivers, but immediately afterwards both put the tire to work and begin to put pressure on Hamilton in P4. The first 6 all run at the same times (21 low), but degradation is high. In the rear, 5 second penalty to Magnussen for false start.
First pit stops on lap 16: problems for Russell, Leclerc and Norris remain out
On lap 16 the pit stop waltzes. They are the first to stop Sainz e Russell. The second, however, has a problem with the rear right and he loses time which almost puts him behind the Ferrari. With the undercut, the Maranello car finds itself ahead of Hamilton. Keeping him behind, however, is not easy, and on the lap 19 the British passes him with a maneuver very borderline. In the previous round, too Verstappen stops. The only ones out at the moment are Norris, Leclerc e Piastres, who perhaps now can think about going until the end with just one pit stop. The last one mentioned will then stop at the turn 22.
Norris and Leclerc stop, Max again in front
Neither McLaren nor Ferrari liked the choice of a one-stop race. Norris stops at the turn 25 and Leclerc al 26. They both ride medium tyre, like all those who stopped previously. However, the Monegasque doesn't like the choice and complains on the radio. After the pit, the #4 hammers out fast lap after fast lap as does the #16. The first passes Sainz, the second Gasly. The two Ferraris are now separated by approximately 7 seconds. Everything is unchanged up front, with Verstappen ahead of Russell and Hamilton. Norris arrives very threateningly immediately behind, then Sainz and Leclerc. Only in eighth place was the other Papaya car Piastres and in tenths Sergio Perez. In general, everyone complains about the medium tyre.
Spanish GP, halfway through the race: everyone stops again
Around the turn 40, both Russell and Sainz stop to mount white rubber. Tire which, however, It doesn't seem to work well. Those who stopped last continue to steadily gain on those ahead of them. Around 44 Hamilton is also called to the pits to ride red rubber, which seems like the best choice. Verstappen will also make a pit stop on the next lap to use the same compound as the Briton. Much more performance for the Dutchman, who gains 1.6 seconds on McLaren and Ferrari. On lap 48 they both come from the pits to get on the Soft.
Everything goes smoothly in the end: Max triumphs
In the final laps everything remains unchanged. After the swap between the two Maranello drivers, Leclerc tried to catch up on Russell. The two arrived in a sprint, with the Englishman ahead of the Monegasque. In front of everyone he triumphs by dominating Max Verstappen, followed by Norris and Hamilton.
ARTICLE BY FRANCESCO ORLANDO
