Lewis Hamilton dominates in Spain
Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton stormed to a handsome victory in yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix, leading from pole to dominate at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The 33-year-old, without a win prior to the last Grand Prix in Baku, took the chequered flag a whopping 20 seconds ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas to post a record-breaking 41st win from pole and also open up a 17-point lead in the drivers’ championship.
Nemesis Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari could only muster fourth spot while Red Bull’s exciting Dutchman Max Verstappen completed the podium positions.
“You can only take it one race at a time. This weekend, we got ourselves on the right path. The team did an exceptional job. I didn’t know what the pace would be,” Hamilton said afterwards.
“I was much happier with the car. I wouldn’t say I had perfect synergy, but almost. I think that showed in my face (as he celebrated after).
“I’m really happy. I said I wanted to come and win in the way that I have won. Coming across the line, I’m happy I did it in the way I planned to.”
Starting on pole for the first time since the season opener in Melbourne, Hamilton avoided the melee caused by Haas driver Romain Grosjean’s crash on the opening lap to take control of the race.
He was helped by few incidents as Vettel struggled for tyre life and was forced into a second pit stop that saw him drop from second to fourth, and Kimi Raikkonen, also of Ferrari, was forced to retire with engine failure on lap 24, while in second spot.
Despite having notched his second consecutive win, Hamilton remained unconvinced it marked the start of a turnaround.