Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to win the Spanish Grand Prix
Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris in the McLaren to win the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. The reigning champion won his second race in a row in Barcelona, having won the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago to extend his lead at the top of the F1 season rankings. It was Verstappen’s third year in a row that he emerged victorious in Spain
Verstappen started in second, with Norris taking the pole position. But while both drivers were battling, George Russell of Mercedes snuck past them to take the lead after the first lap. Verstappen complained that Norris pushed him onto the grass in this battle.
The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit is known for its drama. The 2023 edition saw 107 overtakes. This race was no different as Verstappen took the lead for the first time in the race, going past Russell on the third lap.
After ten laps, the Dutch driver had built up a two-and-a-half-second lap over Russell. He went into the pits for the first time in the 18th lap, switching from soft tires to mediums. His team helped him with the stop, getting Verstappen back out there as quickly as possible.
He retook the lead on the 24th lap as the drivers in front of him went into the pits. Despite building up a six-second lead, Verstappen told his team that he was struggling with the tires, calling them “inconsistent.”
It was not the easy, dominant victory that people have come to expect from Verstappen, with Norris not giving in and gaining on the 26-year-old. Verstappen went back to softs in the 45th lap, coming out in third position behind Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Norris, who was top with a 16-second lead on Verstappen.
It was a matter of time until Norris would have to go in for his last pitstop, giving Verstappen the lead again. Norris came out with a seven-second gap to Verstappen.
Norris pushed hard towards the end, and the Red Bull team warned Verstappen several times that he would have to go all out to keep his lead. Verstappen did as much and took home another victory.
Despite having to work harder for his victories this season, Verstappen's dominance in the points total is unrivaled. He currently has 219 points, with Norris following him with 150 points. Leclerc is shortly behind Norris in third with 148 points.
The next race is next Sunday in Spielberg, Austria.
