Verstappen holds off rueful Norris to extend title lead

Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris’s late charge to win the Spanish Grand Prix and further stamp his authority on this season’s Formula One championship.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Norris started from pole position but dropped to third after he was outfoxed by Verstappen and George Russell at the opening bend following a poor getaway in Barcelona.

The McLaren driver took on a different strategy from his rivals to afford himself a last-gasp surge for victory on fresher rubber.

However, Norris ran out of steam in his pursuit of Verstappen, with the Dutchman claiming his third win from the last four races to extend his title lead to 69 points.

Lewis Hamilton passed Mercedes teammate Russell with 14 laps remaining to take the final spot on the podium. Russell, despite having led the opening two laps, finished fourth. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc took fifth and sixth respectively for Ferrari.

Norris rued his getaway over the radio. “I should have won,” he said. “I fucked up the start. Car was amazing. Deserved more.”

Speaking after the chequered flag, Norris said: “I got a bad start. Simple as that. We were the quickest and I lost it at the beginning. A lot of positives this weekend and one negative ruined everything. I need to work it out for next time.”

Norris delivered the lap of his life to secure only his second pole of his career but the 24-year-old was on the back foot from the get-go when he dropped two positions before the opening bend.

Norris aggressively moved to his right to cover off Verstappen on the long run down to the first corner, only for the Red Bull to sneak down the McLaren man’s inside.