Spanish GP 2023: Max Verstappen Wins 40th Formula 1 Race; Lewis Hamilton Takes Second Spot

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Max Verstappen posted his fifth win of the season as the Dutchman finished ahead of the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton (second) and George Russell (third) with a timing of 1:27:57.940 seconds.

The defending champion won the Spanish Grand Prix to keep Red Bull's seven wins out of seven races intact with the latest at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona on Sunday.

His Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who won the remaining two races this season, finished fourth and is now trailing Max Verstappen (170 points) by 55 points in the Formula 1 2023 Drivers' Championships. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso is third with 99 points.

Max Verstappen was dominant throughout the weekend as he secured the pole position on Saturday by a margin and later reckoned that at current pace Red Bull may win every single race this season.

The only time Verstappen was threatened during the race was when Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari ran level with the Dutchman at the opening straight but soon had to fend off as Verstappen had the line on Turn One.

With the win, the 25-yeard-old title favourite is now one win away from matching the career win of F1 great Ayrton Senna. Back in Monaco, Verstappen surpassed Sebastian Vettel's record of 38 race wins. A drivers' title win on the season will also level him with the Brazilian.

Meanwhile, Sainz took the fifth spot on the finish line followed by Aston Martin's Lance Stroll. The Canadian, who will be competing at his home grand prix next, had the pleasure to beat his veteran teammate Alonso, who finished right behind Stroll in seventh. Alpine's Esteban Ocon took the eighth spot ahead of Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu and teammate Pierre Gasly to finish the top 10.

Meanwhile, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton was happy to finish the race ahead of rivals Ferrari and Aston Martin but accepted that Red Bull are too fast at the moment.

"The Bulls are still a bit ahead but we will keep chasing them down," said Hamilton. "I think they are still a bit too quick at the moment. If we can close on them by the end of the year then that will be great. If not, then next year."