Max Verstappen reaped the reward of Charles Leclerc’s misfortune to rack up his third straight win this season in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix and move top of the Formula One drivers’ standings.
Sergio Perez took second for a Red Bull 1-2 at the Montmelo circuit behind the world champion where in 2016 Verstappen had opened his F1 account as a teenager.
Leclerc was sitting comfortably in the lead from pole until lap 23 when a sudden loss of power proved fatal to his Ferrari.
The man from Monaco arrived in Catalonia 19 points in front in the title race, but left it six points behind Verstappen ahead of his home race next weekend.
Verstappen had to overcome being blown off the circuit and into the gravel by a gust of wind early on and some technical niggles.
“Difficult beginning but a good end! I tried to stay focussed, which is not always easy,” said the Dutch driver, who hit the front late on after passing Perez who had been instructed to relinquish the lead over the team radio.
“I am happy for the team. We need to speak later,” said Perez who became a father again after the last race in the United States.
Mercedes showed improved form after a bumpy start to the season with George Russell claiming third.
Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes threaded his way through the field after being forced into the pits shortly after the start with a puncture to take fifth.
“Today was very tough,” recounted Russell.
“I gave it everything I could, just so proud to be standing here as the guys have worked so hard. Pleased to be able to bring it home in P3, lots of points on the board for us.”
HOW THEY LINED UP FOR SPANISH GRAND PRIX GRID, WITH VERSTAPPEN SECOND ON THE GRID
Front row
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
2nd row
Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari)
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
3rd row
Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)
4th row
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari)
Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari)
5th row
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes)
Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari)
6th row
Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
7th row
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull)
Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull)
8th row
Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari)
Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
9th row
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine-Renault)
Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
10th row
Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes)
Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes)
Craig Lewis © Agence France-Presse
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