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Verstappen secures victory in Spanish GP and extends F1 championship lead by holding off Norris

Verstappen secures victory in Spanish GP and extends F1 championship lead by holding off Norris

June 23, 2024

MONTMELÓ, Spain — Max Verstappen steered his Red Bull to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to increase his lead in the Formula 1 drivers championship.

Verstappen started from second on the grid behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. But the three-time champion whipped past the McLaren driver by the first turn and then overtook George Russell on lap three of 66 and never looked back.

Norris tried to mount a late challenge but Verstappen upped the pace to cross first. Norris was second, followed by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in third.

Verstappen said that his moves to get past Norris and Russell so early proved crucial so he could build an advantage and keep the hard-charging Norris at bay.

“I think what made the difference in the race was the beginning,” Verstappen said. “I took the lead and had my buffer. After that we had to drive a defensive race.”

Verstappen got his seventh win in 10 races this season and claimed his third straight victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia.

Verstappen has 219 points. Norris moved into second place with 150 overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who fell into third place with 148 points after finishing fifth.

In a thrilling race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Max Verstappen secured victory in the Spanish Grand Prix and extended his lead in the Formula 1 championship by holding off a determined Lando Norris.

Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, started the race from pole position and got off to a strong start, maintaining his lead in the opening laps. However, McLaren’s Norris put up a fierce challenge, staying within striking distance of the Dutch driver throughout the race.

As the laps ticked by, Norris closed in on Verstappen and even managed to briefly take the lead during the pit stop phase. But Verstappen fought back, re-taking the lead with a bold move and managing to hold off Norris until the checkered flag.

The victory in Spain marks Verstappen’s third win of the season and extends his lead in the championship standings over reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen now holds a significant advantage in the title race, with his consistent performances and impressive racecraft making him a formidable contender for the championship.

Norris, on the other hand, put in a stellar performance to finish second, securing his second podium of the season and further establishing himself as one of the rising stars in Formula 1. The young British driver showcased his talent and determination, pushing Verstappen to the limit and proving that he is a force to be reckoned with on the grid.

The Spanish Grand Prix provided fans with an exciting and action-packed race, with Verstappen and Norris putting on a thrilling display of wheel-to-wheel racing. The battle between the two drivers showcased the competitive nature of Formula 1 and highlighted the talent and skill of the drivers on the grid.

With Verstappen extending his championship lead and Norris continuing to impress with his performances, the 2021 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and closely contested in recent years. Fans can look forward to more thrilling races and intense battles as the championship fight heats up throughout the season.