2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix

2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix

It was a miracle start for new Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen yesterday at the 2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix.

The Dutch youngster now enters the record books as the youngest person to ever win an F1 race.

At just 18, Verstappen is three years younger than the previous youngest person to win an F1 race was, in this case Sebastian Vettel at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

Though Verstappen is an extremely talented driver, he also had some luck on his side yesterday.

Mercedes AMG drivers crash on first lap

It was the Mercedes AMG drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg out on front at the start, with reigning world champion Hamilton on pole. Hamilton got a good start but Rosberg managed to overtake his teammate in Turn 1. Hamilton then tried to retake the lead but at Turn 4 crossed onto the grass and then came into contact with Rosberg.

Unfortunately, the two Mercedes drivers were forced to retire because of the crash. After an initial investigation, stewards ruled no further action will be taken against either driver as the crash was deemed a racing incident.

With Mercedes out, Red Bull’s other Daniel Ricciardo was able to take the lead. A difference in strategy would later see Verstappen out in front and Ricciardo fall back to fourth. Verstappen was on a two-stop strategy while Ricciardo stopped three times for fresh tires.

However, it wasn’t clear sailing for Verstappen out in front. Chasing close behind him for almost the final third of the race was Ferrari’s [NYSE:RACE] Kimi Räikkönen. In the end, the Finn would cross the line just 0.616 of a second behind the leader.

Bad lack for local favorite

There was also a good battle for third between Ferrari’s other driver Sebastian Vettel, and Ricciardo. Unfortunately, Ricciardo suffered a tire puncture in the closing stages and had to give up the fight. He still managed to finish fourth, albeit only a couple of seconds ahead of fifth-placed driver Williams’ Valtteri Bottas.

Unfortunately for local favorite Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion had to retire after the Honda power unit in his McLaren lost power. Haas’ Romain Grosjean and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg also failed to finish due to various car troubles.

Rosberg still leads the 2016 Drivers’ Championship with 100 points though Räikkönen now moves up to second with 61 points while Hamilton drops to third with 57 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes leads with 157 points versus the 109 of Ferrari and 94 of Red Bull. The next race on the calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix in a fortnight.

Hit the next page for the full results of the 2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix.

2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix

2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix

Below are the full results for the 2016 Formula One Spanish Grand Prix:

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
2) Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari  +0.616 s
3) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari +5.581 s
4) Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing +43.950 s
5) Valtteri Bottas, Williams +45.271 s
6) Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso 61.395 s
7) Sergio Perez, Force India +79.538 s
8) Felipe Massa, Williams +80.707 s
9) Jenson Button, McLaren +1 lap
10) Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso +1 lap
11) Esteban Gutierrez, Haas +1 lap
12) Marcus Ericsson, Sauber +1 lap
13) Jolyon Palmer, Renault +1 lap
14) Felipe Nasr, Sauber +1 lap
15) Kevin Magnussen, Renault +1 lap
16) Pascal Wehrlein, Manor +1 lap
17) Rio Haryanto, Manor +1 lap
Ret) Romain Grosjean, Haas
Ret) Fernando Alonso, McLaren
Ret) Nico Hulkenberg, Force India  
Ret) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG
Ret) Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG

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