Verstappen triumphs in Barcelona after early struggles
Monday, 23 May 2022
The Dutchman spun in the early stages.
Max Verstappen tried to keep his frustration at bay as he overcame a "not nice" start to the Spanish Grand Prix before ultimately recovering to earn a crucial win.
The reigning world champion claimed his third consecutive Formula 1® victory in Barcelona on Sunday, profiting after title rival Charles Leclerc retired with a technical issue when seemingly on course to win.
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Verstappen now holds a six-point lead at the top of the standings, an outcome that did not look likely when the Dutchman dropped from second to fourth after spinning in the early stages, as Leclerc built a huge lead.
The Dutchman also voiced his concerns on team radio as persistent issues with his DRS system hindered his attempts to pass Mercedes' George Russell during a thrilling tussle between the duo.
Verstappen, though, kept his focus and, after some help from team orders, recorded his first win in Spain since 2016, when he took his first-ever F1® victory at the same circuit.
Team-mate Sergio Perez was second in a great result for Red Bull, with Russell taking the final spot on the podium ahead of Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton.
"Of course I went off - I suddenly had a lot of tailwind, so I just lost the rear and went off," Verstappen said about his ninth-lap error.
"Then I was obviously in the train and trying to pass but my DRS was not always working. That made it very tough.
"But we managed use strategy to get ahead again [with three pit stops]. We tried to do our own race and eventually we got the win. So it was a difficult beginning but a good end.
"I just tried to stay focused - of course it is not nice when stuff like that happens - but at the end I am very happy to win and happy for Checo."
Verstappen insisted his anger on team radio related to his car issues, not at the way Russell was defending his position.
"It was more frustration because of my DRS," he said. "It is a great result for the team. The behaviour of the car was good on the softs."
As for Russell, third place represented a continuation of his strong start to the F1 season with Mercedes even as the team lacks its normal pace.
The Briton has finished in the top five for all six races so far, with this being his second podium.
"I gave everything I could do to hold Max off," he said. "I would love to say that [that Mercedes are back], I am proud to be standing here [in the top three].
"It hurt us a lot but when I had the Red Bull in the mirrors all I was doing was the maximum to keep them behind. It is a lot of points on the board for us and well done to Max."
Next up for the drivers is the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, which will take place on May 29.
George ⚔️ Max
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 22, 2022
A cracking mini-battle 🍿#SpanishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/MIjrc5UM2r
