Lewis Hamilton drove aggressively and overtook rivals, typically with obvious ease. George Russell gained a number of locations by zipping up the run-off space firstly and held off a late problem from Sergio Pérez. It was a terrific day for Mercedes.

And so they completed 2-3.

As soon as once more, Max Verstappen of Pink Bull raced away from the Formulation 1 discipline within the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on Sunday, successful the pole, after which on race day by no means holding any place however first. His closing margin was 24 seconds.

With 5 wins in seven races (and two seconds), he’s on his solution to his third straight Formulation 1 title, barring a serious shock.

Any drama needed to be discovered additional again in a race with out main incidents or crashes. Along with the showy performances by the Mercedes, Pérez, Verstappen’s teammate, raced as much as fourth after beginning eleventh due to a foul qualifying.

Anticipated rain, which could have made issues fascinating, by no means actually got here.

Late within the race, Verstappen was warned about straying off the course on some turns, however even had he been penalized, it could very seemingly have been 5 seconds, not almost sufficient to take the race away.

As they’ve for weeks, his rivals and their groups will likely be shaking their heads and questioning how they will probably cease him.

Watch Verstappen Not Lose the Lead

Not as soon as. All day.

The place the Race Turned

When Verstappen took the pole? When he began the race with out incident? When he had a problem-free pit cease?

Honestly, at no level did Verstappen ever look as if he would lose this weekend.

Greatest Days, Ranked

1. Verstappen. See above. And each different race.

2. Mercedes. After an iffy begin to the season, and an embarrassing collision between its two drivers in qualifying Saturday, virtually the whole lot went proper on race day. It was the primary double-podium of the yr for the group.

3. Pérez. He made up for a foul qualifying day, and a spin off the observe, by racing his approach as much as fourth.

What They’re Saying

• “I had the more durable compound. I knew the beginning was possibly going to be a bit difficult.” — Max Verstappen, like all of us looking for some drama.

• “What a outcome for our group. We undoubtedly didn’t count on the outcome we had right now.” — Lewis Hamilton

• “I feel they’re a bit too fast in the intervening time. We’re engaged on it. If not, possibly subsequent yr.” — Hamilton, life like about Pink Bull.

• “I assumed it could rain at one level, however it was sweat from my hair.” — George Russell.

• “It was only a misunderstanding, a scarcity of communication within the storage throughout an intense second so nobody is guilty.” — Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff, disregarding a qualifying collision between Hamilton and Russell. Spoiler: Somebody was guilty.

Drivers’ Championship Standings

Verstappen’s lead is now 53 factors. Count on that to extend.