Verstappen just holds off Norris to win super-tight Spanish Grand Prix as Hamilton claims first podium of 2024
The 2024 Formula One season continued on Sunday with the Spanish Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen secured a narrow victory over his close rival Lando Norris. Verstappen’s Red Bull team had a fierce battle with Norris’ McLaren throughout the race, with Verstappen ultimately emerging victorious after an intense battle to the finish.
The start of the race was clean, with Verstappen holding on to his pole position while Norris moved up from third place to challenge Lewis Hamilton for second. Behind them, the top ten drivers all maintained their positions, with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc battling for fourth place.
Despite Verstappen’s early lead, Norris managed to keep the pressure on throughout the race. After the first round of pit stops, the gap between the two drivers was less than a second, with Norris staying firmly within striking distance of the leader.
Verstappen continued to drive aggressively, consistently setting fast lap times and maintaining his advantage. However, Norris remained a constant threat, coming within inches of overtaking the Dutchman on several occasions.
As the race entered its final laps, it became clear that the battle for the victory would come down to Verstappen and Norris. While Verstappen managed to hold on to his lead, Norris continued to push hard, setting the fastest lap of the race on the final lap.
In the end, Verstappen crossed the finish line just 0.6 seconds ahead of Norris, securing his second victory of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Hamilton finished in third place, securing his first podium of the year.
The victory was a significant one for Verstappen and Red Bull, as it demonstrated their ability to challenge Mercedes for the championship. The Dutch driver now leads the championship standings with 102 points, while Hamilton is in second place with 60 points.
For Norris and McLaren, the result was a positive one, as they continue their strong start to the season. The British driver now sits in third place in the championship standings with 56 points, ahead of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who finished in sixth place in the race.
In the post-race interviews, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the result, praising his team for their hard work and commitment. Norris also congratulated his rival on the victory, but vowed to continue pushing hard for future success.
Overall, the Spanish Grand Prix was a thrilling and highly competitive race, showcasing the talent and skill of some of the best drivers in the world. As the season continues, it will be exciting to see how the championship battle develops and which drivers will emerge as the top contenders for the title.
