Max Verstappen secured his fifth win of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his lead in the Formula One World Championship standings. The Dutch driver dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the finish line more than 20 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen’s victory was made all the more impressive by the fact that he started from pole position, having set the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday. He got off to a perfect start, maintaining his lead into the first corner and never looking back.

One of the key factors in Verstappen’s success was his ability to manage his tires. The high temperatures in Barcelona meant that tire wear was a major concern for all the teams, but Verstappen was able to keep his tires in good condition throughout the race, allowing him to maintain a strong pace and build a comfortable lead.

Another factor that worked in Verstappen’s favor was the performance of his Red Bull Racing team. The team’s pit stops were flawless, allowing Verstappen to make quick stops and get back on track without losing too much time. In contrast, Hamilton’s Mercedes team struggled with their pit stops, costing him valuable time and ultimately preventing him from challenging Verstappen for the win.

Despite Hamilton’s disappointment, he still managed to finish in second place, ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. The two Mercedes drivers had a close battle for much of the race, with Bottas initially getting the better of Hamilton at the start before Hamilton fought back to take second place.

Further down the field, there were some notable performances from other drivers. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished in fourth place, ahead of McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris. AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly also had a strong race, finishing in seventh place.

Overall, the Spanish Grand Prix was a dominant display from Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. With five wins from the first six races of the season, Verstappen now holds a commanding lead in the championship standings and looks set to be a serious contender for the title this year. The next race on the calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place on May 23rd.