Max Verstappen extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 53 points over Sergio Perez on Sunday at the Spanish Grand Prix, following the Dutchman’s fifth win of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The reigning World Champion was imperious at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with him having claimed victory by 24 seconds.
Nobody was able to challenge the 25-year-old, who marked his 40th career win with victory.
It was arguably Verstappen’s most dominant weekend of the season so far, given that he topped every single session.
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As well as that, the Red Bull driver led every lap and claimed the fastest lap, simply highlighting just how superior he is this season.
Whilst he was comfortably the quickest driver, the race wasn’t all plain sailing for the two-time World Champion, as he was slapped with a black and white flag for exceeding track limits three times at Turn 10.
Red Bull were keen for him not to push following his third warning, given that a fourth warning would’ve seen him slapped with a time penalty.
Despite having been warned about track limits, Verstappen still achieved the fastest lap in the closing stages of the seventh race of the season.
“Okay Max that was a third strike on track limits,” Verstappen was informed by race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
“Where?” Verstappen asked.
“Turn 10,” Lambiase informed, “you’ve now been given the black and white flag, you are 18 seconds ahead of Hamilton. No risks required Max.”
Despite being told that he didn’t need to push, Verstappen was keen to complete the Grand Slam.
“What’s the fastest lap?” Verstappen asked Lambiase not long after being warned about track limits.
“It’s a 16.6, it was a first lap on a new Soft for Checo with the DRS,” Lambiase told Verstappen, “so I wouldn’t worry about it Max.”
“What’s my fastest lap,” Verstappen then asked.
“Yours is a 17.3. Like I say you’ve been given a black and white flag so we cannot afford anything,” warned Lambiase.
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Unsurprisingly, Verstappen set the fastest lap a lap later.
“Okay, now can you bring it home within the white lines. Thank you,” said Lambiase.
“Yeah yeah,” Verstappen comically replied.