Verstappen makes history as Merc duo clash

Max Verstappen produced a sensational drive under pressure from Kimi Raikkonen to claim a maiden win in a Spanish Grand Prix that saw the Mercedes duo clash.

The Red Bull rookie became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race as he nursed a set of tyres for 32 laps to the chequered flag from Ferrari’s Raikkonen, who shadowed the 18-year-old for the final third of the race.

Verstappen’s history making victory arrived on his debut for Red Bull having been promoted from Toro Rosso for the Barcelona race.

The teenager had held second for much of the early stages behind Daniel Ricciardo before a move to a two-stop strategy elevated him to the lead.

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) emerged as contenders for the race win, but the decision to run a three-stop strategy saw them fight for third in the final laps.

Despite coming under relentless pressure from the Australian, Vettel hung on to finish third with the position confirmed after Ricciardo suffered a left rear puncture on the penultimate lap.

A quick trip to the pits saw him finish in fourth ahead of the Williams of Valtteri Bottas and Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz.

Ricciardo had controlled the first half of the race having inherited the lead on the opening lap when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were involved in a collision at Turn 4.

Rosberg led polesitter Hamilton into Turn 1 but on the run to Turn 4 the latter tried to dive down the inside of Rosberg, who then ushered the Brit onto the grass in defence.

As a result, Hamilton lost control of his Mercedes and rotated into the back of Rosberg which forced the pair into retirement. The incident, which brought out the Safety Car, was due to be investigated after the race.

Force India’s Sergio Perez drove a solid race throughout to finish seventh as Felipe Massa scythed his way from 18th on the grid to claim points in eighth.

Jenson Button scored two points for McLaren in ninth on a bittersweet day for the Woking team that saw Fernando Alonso surrender a likely top 10 after he was struck by a mechanical failure.

Daniil Kvyat picked up a point on his return to Toro Rosso by completing the top 10.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and the Haas F1 of Romain Grosjean were the only other retirements from the race.

Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg continues to lead the championship with a 39 point margin over Raikkonen, who has moved ahead of Hamilton into second.

Result: Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

Championship Standings