These two rivals have been battling for race wins in every of the 4 grands prix thus far this season, however Hamilton’s victory on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya — the 98th Formula One win of his profession — strikes him 14 factors clear on the high of the driving force standings.
Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas completed in third, with Charles Leclerc coming fourth and Sergio Perez ending fifth within the different Red Bull.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton had misplaced his lead from pole place on the opening nook and it took some artistic strategic considering from Mercedes for him to finally win it again.
Mercedes caught Red Bull — and everyone else watching — without warning and referred to as Hamilton in for a second pit cease on lap 43 with the Briton respiration down Vertstappen’s neck.
Hamilton returned to the monitor in third place and 22 seconds behind Verstappen however, crucially, with brisker and quicker tires. There have been speedy similarities to the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, when Hamilton hunted down Verstappen after the same pit cease technique to finally cross him for the win.
Verstappen’s race engineer thought so too. “It’s like Hungary all over again,” he lamented over the group radio.
Hamilton nonetheless wanted to take a second per lap out of Verstappen’s lap occasions to overtake him on the ultimate lap. In the tip, it was way more comfy than that, with Hamilton passing his world title rival six laps from the tip.
“I was really conflicted. Do I come in or I do ignore the call and stay out? Obviously I did what the team asked and naturally that’s because there’s a great trust between us. Just a remarkable job by everyone in this team. What a day.”
The victory prolonged the 36-year-old’s outstanding latest dominance in Spain, claiming a report fifth consecutive race win to take his profession tally to six Spanish Grand Prix victories.
However, one win and three second place finishes for Verstappen thus far this season means the younger driver stays scorching on Hamilton’s heels.
Correction: This article has been up to date to replicate the ending order of the drivers.
