BEIJING (Reuters) - Max
Verstappen survived an early spin and a DRS problem to win the F1 Spanish Grand Prix and takes the lead in the 2022 Drivers’ Championship, as title rival Charles Leclerc retired from an early lead with a power unit issue.
Starting from pole position, Leclerc held off the advances of Verstappen in the early stages of the race, and looked set for a comfortable win when the Dutchman made an uncharacteristic error and spun on lap nine.
Verstappen’s spin put him behind a resurgent George Russell in his Mercedes, and with his DRS not functioning properly, the Dutchman was unable to find a quick way past the Briton, taking to the radio to vent his frustration.
However, the race turned on its head when Leclerc suddenly slowed and retired on lap 27. Still unable to force his way past Russell, Verstappen dived into the pits for an early second stop and emerged in clear air.
The Dutchman then used his superior pace to catch up to Russell, before overtaking the Briton when he went for his second stop on lap 37, and then vaulting teammate Sergio Perez, with the Mexican on a different strategy.
From then on, Verstappen had an easy run to his fourth Grand Prix win in six races and his third in succession, with the Dutchman taking the lead in the standings from Leclerc.