Mercedes keeps its win streak intact, has won consecutively in Spain since 2017.
MONTMELO, Spain—In a repeat of what happened back in Hungary of 2019, Lewis Hamilton pitted for the second time on lap 43 during Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, trailing leader Max Verstappen by 22 seconds. But in a great team strategy, the Briton made up ground on fresh tires and passed the Dutchman, who had worn tires, with six laps to win his 98th career Grand Prix by 15 seconds. Valtteri Bottas took third.
Lewis Hamilton: I was so close [behind Verstappen] for so long but just managed to keep the tires in somehow. 22 seconds was a long way to come back, but it was a good gamble–a really great strategy from the team. I was about to get a shot to get past him as I pitted. I was really conflicted. Do I come in or ignore the call. I did what the team asked because there is great trust between us. Remarkable job by everyone in this team. What a day!
Verstappen took the lead right at the start, just elbowing Hamilton out at the first corner, following a long straight. The Dutchman held the lead for the first eight laps until Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsunoda’s lost power and had to pull over right at the edge of turn 10, bringing out the only safety car of the day. Tsunoda ended up being the only retirement of the race.
Verstappen continued his lead following the restart on lap 11, with Hamilton beginning to catch the Red Bull driver until Verstappen pitted for his first and only time on lap 21. Hamilton pitted eight laps later, giving Verstappen the lead once again. Hamilton began to catch Verstappen again, but in a surprise strategy, Hamilton pitted on lap 43 and now had fresh tires. But he now trailed Verstappen by 22 seconds.
The Dutchman’s tires began to wear down, and with only six laps to go, it was a decision that Verstappen either pit and lose the lead or be passed and at least finish second. Verstappen chose the former, and with six laps to go, Hamilton finally made his move and passed Verstappen. But the Red Bull driver finally pitted for new tires,
Despite finishing second, Verstappen took the fastest lap of the race–the only consolation prize that he could achieve on this day.
Max Verstappen: Already at the end with the softs, he [Hamilton] was faster, and when he put on the mediums, he had a lot more pace. There was not much we could’ve done. Then they went for another stop, and I knew it was over because I was already struggling with the tires, and you could see every lap. He was getting closer and closer—a bit of a sitting duck. With the cars behind, you don’t want to pit in traffic, but it makes a clear advantage when there is more space in the car.
As for Mercedes #2, Bottas didn’t get off to a good start, having to battle Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before passing the Monegasque midway through the race. But the opportunity was lost for the Finn. Even having to pull aside for Hamilton’s laps before the end certainly did not make anything any easier, despite finishing on the last step of the podium.
“What made it more tricky was I lost a place to Charles at lap one. He chose a better line through turn three,” Bottas said after the race. “That compromised the race a bit. It is a bit of a shame, but I am pleased to make it to the podium.”
As for the rest of the top ten, Ferrari’s Leclerc finished fourth and Sergio Perez took fifth in the second Red Bull. McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo took sixth ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. Lando Norris finished eighth, giving McLaren double points. Frenchmen Esteban Ocon in the Alpine and Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly rounded up the top ten finishers.
Hamilton now leads Verstappen by 14 points going into the fifth round of the world championship, which will take place on Memorial Day on the streets of Monaco is perhaps the most classic of all Formula 1 races
