FORMULA1 "Always Be Happy Behind the Wheel" - Words of Wisdom From Fernando Alonso F1 Standings Take a Turn As Leclerc Retires: Three Takeaways From Spain

Formula One brought the heat to Spain this weekend as track temperatures topped 100°F and drama ensued on Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Max Verstappen took the victory despite a hard-fought defensive battle with George Russell, who held the edge over the Red Bull drivers for a significant portion of the first half of the race but finished third. Sergio Pérez came in second, and there’s one notable team missing—Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz, who spun into the gravel early in the race but recovered, was the only one to finish the race, coming in fourth. Meanwhile, the now-former leader in the driver standings, Charles Leclerc, held the lead up until lap 27 when he lost power, forcing him to retire.

Verstappen, though, has won every race that he has finished this season, going 4 for 4, and Red Bull takes its second 1-2 finish of the season. But Pérez said after the race: “I’m happy for the team, but we need to speak later.”

Verstappen watched as Sainz spun into the gravel of Turn 4 only on the seventh lap. And just two laps later, the Dutchman committed a similar error thanks to the wind—a half-spin changing the race.

Verstappen pitted for soft tires, giving him the ability to climb in clean air. He stopped once more for mediums later on, edging him past Russell with only teammate Pérez ahead in the lead.

Mercedes’ improvements give Hamilton a boost Heading into the weekend, there was hope within the Mercedes garage

He made it as high as P4 before he saw the warning of cooling issues in the final laps, letting Sainz by and finishing in P5—all without a single safety car.

Meanwhile, Russell is the only driver to continuously finish in the top five this season, and arguably earned the unofficial title of defensive champion after Barcelona

The 24-year-old joined the team from Williams, and managed to hold off Verstappen and Pérez for a majority of the race. Although the Red Bull drivers made their way past the young rising star, he held on to score his second podium this season.

“So proud to be standing here,” Russell said. “This is for everyone back at Brackley and Brixworth. I’m pleased to bring it home in P3.”