Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris to a McLaren one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix as a late safety car led to a controversial final few laps involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Verstappen was forced on to hard tyres for the final sprint to the flag and was involved in a series of incidents with Mercedes’ George Russell.
Verstappen crossed the line fifth but dropped to 10th as a consequence of a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Russell.
The four-time champion had kept the pressure on the McLarens with a three-stop strategy compared to their two, and was on course for third place before the safety car, sent out after Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli pulled off with an engine failure.
But Verstappen’s race fell apart after Red Bull fitted hard tyres to his car, leaving him vulnerable to the other drivers, who all fitted soft rubber.
It left Verstappen lacking grip at the restart as an extraordinary series of incidents unfolded.
Verstappen almost lost his car when he had a massive wobble coming out of the fast final corner as the race restarted with five laps to go.
Charles Leclerc, who finished third, pulled alongside on the straight, and the two cars touched as the Ferrari moved back towards the racing line while still alongside Verstappen.
The stewards investigated the contact after the race but decided to take no further action.
Russell then dived down the inside of Verstappen at Turn One, and the two made contact, the Red Bull taking to the escape road and retaining the position.
Verstappen complained that Russell had pushed him off, but his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase ordered him to give the position back, citing the rules on racing which say that a driver on the inside trying an overtaking move has the right to the corner if he is far enough alongside going in.
With two laps to go, Verstappen appeared to move over to the inside and give space to Russell to pass him on the outside on the entry to Turn Five.
But, as Russell went around him, Verstappen suddenly appeared back on the inside and speared into his car.
The Briton went on the radio to ask what was going on, using a swear word, and Verstappen was penalised for the incident.
The stewards said that Verstappen was punished because he “suddenly accelerated and collided with [Russell]. The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of [Verstappen]”.
Verstappen was also given three penalty points on his licence, which puts him on 11, one away from a race ban.
Piastri’s fifth win of the season moves him into a 10-point lead over Norris in the championship, but Verstappen’s eventful final few laps left him 49 points behind the Australian.
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Source:
F1 Correspondent at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
