Mercedes F1 champion in Spain helps Lewis Hamilton refuse Max Verstappen

From Reuters

Before 10h

Share this article:

shareTweetshareshareshareE-mailshare

BARCELONA – Lewis Hamilton clinched his fifth consecutive Grand Prix in Spain on Sunday ahead of Red Bull’s Max Bullappen after a Mercedes pit stop.

Hamilton went on to 98 career wins after Red Bull made a mistake after a surprising second tire change that put him 14 points ahead of Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.

Valtteri Bottas was third, Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari fourth.

ALSO READ: Jenson Button warns Japanese rookie Yuki Tsunoda to watch his words

Hamilton had started from pole position for the 100th time, but was beaten into the first corner by Verstappen, with Leclerc handing out the same treatment to Bottas in corner two.

On lap eight, Yuki Tsunoda’s Sunday drive in Catalonia ended prematurely when his Alpha Tauri came to a standstill.

“The engine stopped,” complained the Japanese rookie when the safety car briefly appeared to remove the immovable obstacle.

Verstappen comfortably held Hamilton back during the restart on lap 11, while Leclerc continued to separate the two Mercedes.

ALSO READ: “He Keeps Getting Better”: Fernando Alonso welcomes Lewis Hamilton after Pole 100

After a third of the race, the first lap of pit stops began, with all eyes on which of the two in front would flash first, less than a second apart.

It was Verstappen who arrived on lap 25, but the pit stop was a few seconds slower, which was another small but potentially critical mistake made by the Red Bull title claimants.

The Mercedes pit wall pulled in Hamilton for a lightning stop a few laps later as they put their hopes on fresher midsize tires that would make all the difference.

At halftime, Hamilton set the fastest lap, less than two and a half seconds behind his Dutch rival. The gap was less than a second shortly afterwards.

ALSO READ: “No musical chairs” about the future of Valtteri Bottas, says Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff

On lap 43, Mercedes played his ace card.

Hamilton, half a second from the lead, pitted for a second new set of media.

Mega effort from Lewis


Mega effort from Mercedes Spanish # SpanishGP

![CDATA[]]>

# F1 pic.twitter.com/SXMdd1CbE7

– Formula 1 (@ F1) May 9, 2021

He reappeared in less than 23 seconds to make up for Verstappen, who with tire wear was at risk of becoming a sitting duck for the man who was aiming for a record title for eighth driver.

Hamilton asked his pit wall: “How far do I have to catch up?”

“Currently 22 seconds … we’ve done it before …” came the reply.

There was a hint of desperation on Red Bull radio in which Verstappen suggested, “I don’t know how we’ll make it to the end.”

ALSO READ: Lewis Hamilton extends F1 lead with victory in Portugal

Hamilton finished second but there was no hint of team orders as Bottas forced his teammate into full overtaking mode.

With ten laps to go, Hamilton only had three seconds to make up for Verstappen, and on lap 60 he managed to race past the Dutchman in turn one – his team boss, Toto Wolff, enthusiastically punched the air as himself her masterpiece pays off.

AFP