F1 News: Verstappen carries inferior RB20 to win 2024 Spanish GP

World Driving champion Max Verstappen carried his inferior Red Bull RB20 to win the 2024 Spanish GP over Lando Norris driving the clearly superior McLaren around the Circuit de Barcelona.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

It was Verstappen’s third straight Spanish GP victory, 7th win of the year and his 61st career F1 victory. It was Verstappen’s 61st win n the last 76 races.

George Russell took the lead from Norris and Verstappen at the start, but by lap 2 Verstappen made the pass for the lead and pulled away gradually.

“What made the race was the beginning, taking the lead on Lap 2 and eeking out the gap a little bit. As Lando and McLaren were very, very fast today. We drove an aggressive strategy, but it played out at the end.”

Barring pitstops the Dutchman held a slight lead over Lando Norris for the entire race and although Norris was closing slowly at the end, Verstappen controlled the gap to finish 2.5-seconds ahead of Norris.

“Not could [have won], should have done. I got a bad start,” said a defeated Norris. “The car was incredible today, for sure we were the quickest. Lots of positives, one negative but that ruined everything. Big thanks to the team as the car was amazing.

“I need to look back at review [at the start], I don’t know what I did wrong. Fair play to Red Bull and Max, but a shame we lost it at the same time, very frustrating. Austria and Silverstone are two of my favorite tracks, I just need to tidy up a few bits.”

The two of them left the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton (3rd) and George Russell (4th) in the distance.

“It’s been a good day, a good weekend, so a big thank you to the team, the strategy and pit stops were on point,” said Hamilton.

“Like Lando I had a really bad start so lost ground to the Ferraris. I don’t know if we could have held onto the guys ahead, but we wouldn’t have been as far behind. It was never an option to run the hard tire for me today.”

The Ferraris came home where they started, Leclerc in 5th and Sainz in 6th, over 22 seconds behind.

Oscar Piastri recovered to seventh, ahead of Sergio Perez with Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon rounding out the top 10.

Verstappen extended his point lead to 69 points over Lando Norris, 219 to 150.

“Max drove a brilliant race today and strategically we got it just right<” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

“We had just enough in hand, but that first lap was so crucial and that pass on George was even more important. It was from quite far back as well, he did it the hard way around the outside – we were relieved to see him get that done. He’s so decisive, he just doesn’t mess about. It’s one of his key qualities, you know if he’s there he’s going to go for it, and the other drivers know it as well.” In other words, Verstappen lives like a nightmare in all their heads.

How good is Verstappen? His teammate, Sergio Perez, in the identical car, was 60s behind Verstappen.

That was a slow-burner of a race, plenty of action at the start, then a few different strategies on show and it all playing out in the final ten laps or so.

Norris certainly believed he let a win go today, and with Hamilton also having a bad start perhaps the odd numbered side of the grid was to blame, with the racing line on the even numbered side today.

This was the first part of a triple-header, Austria next weekend following hot on the heels of Spain before Silverstone. Austria is a Sprint weekend too, so there is even more to play for.

Then there is just one weekend off before Hungary and Belgian bac to back, and then comes the summer break.

2024 Spanish GP Results – 66 Laps