Max Verstappen tops F1 standings

Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen took first place in the Spanish Grand Prix and won the third in a row, to top the world championship standings, benefiting from the withdrawal of Charles Leclerc while leading the race. His Mexican teammate Sergio Perez was second at the Catalan Circuit in Montmelo, while British Mercedes driver George Russell completed the podium contract by finishing third.

Destiny played its part in this race, as Leclerc was comfortably positioned in the lead from pole position, until lap 28 when his Ferrari began to slow due to a loss of power, to return to the pit and withdraw from the race. After leading the world championship standings by 19 points, Leclerc finished second in Catalonia, six points behind Verstappen, before racing at home in Monaco next week.

(AFP)

Verstappen had to overcome his early wobbles when he was knocked off the track to the gravel by strong winds and a technical problem. “It was a tough start, but a good finish! I tried to focus, and it’s not always easy,” he said following the race.
On the other hand, Mercedes showed a marked improvement following a faltering start to the season with George Russell in third place, while his team-mate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton made his way to fifth following an engine problem and a puncture in the opening round.