Oscar Piastri re-extended his world championship lead over Lando Norris after beating his McLaren team-mate to victory within the Spanish Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen was penalised for a controversial late collision with George Russell.
Claiming his fifth victory in 9 races this season, Piastri all the time seemed in full management at Barcelona after changing his spectacular pole into the race lead at the beginning as Norris virtually instantly dropped behind Verstappen to 3rd.
Norris quickly overtook Verstappen to maneuver again into second however a cost behind his team-mate by no means really materialised, which means Piastri leaves the European triple header with an prolonged lead of 10 factors within the championship.
Seemingly conscious they have been unlikely to beat the McLarens on absolute tempo on the identical technique, Purple Bull rolled the cube by inserting Verstappen on a three-stop technique in comparison with Piastri and Norris’ extra typical two.
That stored Verstappen within the hunt for second behind Norris into the closing stint earlier than a Security Automotive was referred to as with 10 laps to go when Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes stopped within the gravel.
The leaders all modified tyres, however Verstappen was now weak as whereas Purple Bull fitted his automobile with the one tyres they’d left – new hards – the remainder round him have been on used, however faster, softs.
Nearly spinning out of the ultimate nook when the race restarted, Verstappen was overtaken by Charles Leclerc on the run to Flip One – with the 2 vehicles making contact down the straight earlier than then.
Russell then tried to make a transfer down the within of Verstappen, with the Purple Bull working broad however coming again on monitor and staying forward of the Mercedes. The Purple Bull pit wall quickly instructed the Dutchman to present the place again to Russell however, simply as he appeared to take action, the 2 vehicles made contact because the Mercedes made its transfer on the skin.
Stewards took a dim view of Verstappen’s driving and swiftly issued the four-time world champion with a 10-second time penalty, dropping him from fifth to tenth.
With Leclerc taking third and Russell fourth, Nico Hulkenberg claimed a shocking fifth for Sauber with a late overtake of Lewis Hamilton, who had struggled all afternoon for tempo within the second Ferrari.
Extra to comply with…
The 2025 Method 1 season pauses for breath after the European triple-header earlier than resuming stay on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix from June 13-15. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
