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Max Verstappen wins Spanish GP, adds to lead in F1 standings

AP photo by Joan Monfort / Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is followed by McLaren's Lando Norris as they compete in Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.
AP photo by Joan Monfort / Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is followed by McLaren's Lando Norris as they compete in Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. AP photo by Joan Monfort / Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is followed by McLaren's Lando Norris as they compete in Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

By JOSEPH WILSON / The Associated Press 4 min read

MONTMELÓ, Spain — Max Verstappen doesn’t need a dominant car to stay on course for a fourth straight Formula 1 title.

The 26-year-old Dutchman proved that Sunday, when he turned in a perfectly executed performance to fend off a hard-charging Lando Norris and win the Spanish Grand Prix.

“We should have won today,” Norris said. “We had the quickest car.”

Mercedes and Norris’ McLaren had both closed the gap with Verstappen’s Red Bull in recent races, and Norris was gunning for a win after having edged Verstappen in qualifying to take pole position.

But the three-time reigning F1 champion muscled past Norris right off the starting grid, overtook early leader George Russell’s Mercedes and then never looked back. Verstappen was able to muster just enough pace over the final laps to cross first, while Norris had to settle for second place.