F1 Spanish Grand Prix LIVE: Race results as Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris for victory
Follow live updates from Barcelona as Norris starts on pole ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
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Lando Norris produced a superb lap to beat Max Verstappen to pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The British driver was trailing Verstappen heading into the final runs at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya before he delivered the goods to take top spot.
Norris edged out the Red Bull man by just 0.020 seconds, with Lewis Hamilton in third, and George Russell fourth for Mercedes, with three British drivers in the top four.
“Let’s f****** go, baby,” yelled Norris after taking only his second pole of his career. Norris’ wonder lap arrived on the same day a McLaren staff member was hospitalised after a fire broke out at the British team’s hospitality suite in the paddock.
Follow live updates from the Spanish GP with The Independent
TOP-10 IN THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX:
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. George Russell
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Oscar Piastri
8. Sergio Perez
9. Pierre Gasly
10. Esteban Ocon
Lewis Hamilton has no regrets over Ferrari switch despite Mercedes improvement
Lewis Hamilton insisted he has no regrets over his decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari after claiming his first podium of the season at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Following a poor start to his farewell campaign with the Silver Arrows, the 39-year-old enjoyed his finest weekend of the year to date with a composed drive in Barcelona.
Hamilton’s third-placed finish, which included an impressive overtake on Carlos Sainz – the man he is replacing at Ferrari next year – marked back-to-back podiums for his Mercedes team after George Russell finished third in Canada earlier this month.
Although Ferrari have taken two victories this season, Mercedes – enjoying a resurgence following a string of successful upgrades – have passed the Italian team in the pecking order. Russell finished one place behind Hamilton on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc and Sainz fifth and sixth respectively for Ferrari.
Full quotes below:
Lando Norris:
“I need to review things. It wasn’t like it was a bad start, 2 metres, I couldn’t cover Max and that was it. George had a huge slipstream, past both of us, if you took me out of it George still would have got ahead of Max. Nowadays when it’s so close, one or two metres makes a difference - such a small margin. Lost it in the beginning.
“I don’t care what position I’m in [in the championship]. I care where I am to first. Further away from Max in the championship. I didn’t do a good
“If it’s like this every weekend, I need Max to not finish second. He’s doing a good job. We have a good car, still need to improve on some things. Today we had the opportunity to win, should’ve won the race and we didn’t - those were the opportunities we need to take.
Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to extend title lead with Spanish GP win
Race report
Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris’ late charge to win the Spanish Grand Prix and extend his championship lead.
Norris started from pole position but dropped to third after he was outfoxed by Verstappen and George Russell at the opening bend following a poor getaway in Barcelona.
But the McLaren driver took on a different strategy to his rivals to afford himself a last-gasp surge for victory on fresher rubber.
However, Norris ran out of steam in his pursuit of Verstappen with the Dutchman claiming his third win from the last four races to extend his title lead to 69 points.
Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to extend title lead with Spanish GP win
The Dutchman claimed his third win from the last four races to extend his title lead to 69 points
Time for the podium!
Verstappen 1st, Norris 2nd and Hamilton 3rd on the podium in Barcelona!
And a familiar feel of the Dutch and Austrian national anthems!
Lewis Hamilton:
“It’s been a good day, solid weekend. A bit like Lando, got a really bad start, lost ground to the Ferraris - bit of a battle to get back to where I am now.
“All the overtakes were super close, that’s how it should be. It was fair [with Carlos]. On the limit, piece of paper between us.”
Lando Norris:
“Not could, should have done. Got a bad start, simple as that. Car was incredible today, we were the quickest - lost it in the beginning, disappointed. I can work on it for next time, but good amount of points.
“It was only a little bit I lost to Max, but George was on the outside. Well done to Red Bull and Max, another job done for them, frustrating but we’ll work on it for next time.
“We’re on a good roll, I just need to tidy some things.”
Max Verstappen:
“What made the race was the beginning, took the lead on lap two. Got a buffer - from there had to have a defensive race. McLaren were very fast, it was an aggressive strategy but it paid out at the end.
“It’s just about managing the tyres, management race throughout.”
Lando Norris on team radio:
“It doesn’t matter really. I should have won, f***** the start. Car was good, deserved more.”
Max Verstappen on team radio:
“Yes! Nice! We definitely weren’t the quickest out there, strategy as well!”
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