The trend continues. Six Grands Prix into the season, and every single time Max Verstappen’s Red Bull-not-a-Honda has been running at the checkered flag, the Dutchman has won the race.
With his somewhat unexpected victory in Sunday (May 22)’s Spanish Grand Prix capping a string of three consecutive victories, Verstappen has vaulted to the top of the World Championship standings for the first time this season.
First time @Max33Verstappen has led this season 👀#SpanishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/vWG1GZduJt
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 22, 2022
Charles Leclerc, the only other driver to win a Grand Prix in 2022, held a commanding lead for Ferrari in the first third of the race, but his first mechanical issue of the year sent the him back to the paddock heartbreakingly early.
Yes, Verstappen had to recover from an early gravel trap adventure in turn 4 and pass Mercedes’ George Russell without the full benefits of DRS, but a three-stop strategy from Red Bull and the cooperation of teammate Sergio Perez made a Red Bull 1-2 all but inevitable. That massive points haul put the Austrian energy-drinks outfit to the top of the Constructors Championship as well.
Compared to where they looked after Australia, Verstappen and Red Bull Racing look nigh-on unstoppable. Or do they?
Leclerc has had the measure of Verstappen in qualifying, with five poles to Verstappen’s zero — except Verstappen has had to bail out of his fastest laps on multiple occasions. Leclerc “should” be even with Verstappen on wins after Spain — except Verstappen retired from both previous races Leclerc won, even if Leclerc had him handled before the retirements.
All that is to say, don’t expect a respite from the F1 Twitter flame wars of 2021. Expect an encore.
My two cents: between Leclerc and Verstappen, my money is on the defending World Champion. Leclerc is in his first true title fight and he, like his turbo, has shown signs of cracking under the pressure (see his spin in…
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