Verstappen wins Spanish GP after both Mercedes crash out

By Euronews

Published on 15/05/2016 - 17:09

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen made the most of a jaw-dropping first-lap collision between frontrunners Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to claim an

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen made the most of a jaw-dropping first-lap collision between frontrunners Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to claim an astonishing maiden Formula One victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Rosberg, aiming to make it five successive wins for the season, passed Hamilton around the outside of turn one and the triple world champion was then squeezed on to the grass as he tried to regain the lead at turn three. Both drivers ended up in the gravel and the safety car was deployed.

Verstappen, only 18 and making his debut for the former world champions after being promoted from Toro Rosso a week earlier, edged out Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen while Sebastian Vettel completed the podium.

Daniel Ricciardo and Valteri Bottas finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Max Verstappen becomes youngest #F1 winner in history with victory at #SpanishGP: https://t.co/kT7jVRLZoH pic.twitter.com/qfeW6UoZso
— CNN International (@cnni) May 15, 2016

Rearview mirror

Bruno Sousa, euronews: “Formula One was a very different sport forty-five years ago. Back in the days, the Spanish Grand Prix would alternate between Jarama in Madrid and Montjuic in Barcelona. Legend Jackie Stewart proved unstoppable on both circuits.”

Between 1969 and 1971, the British driver won every time he raced in the country and became the first to win the Spanish Grand Prix three years in a row. To this day, only two drivers have managed to repeat this feat, Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher.

In 1971, the Barcelona race was the first with Stewart driving the Tyrrell 003-Cosworth and the first Formula One race in which slick tyres were used. The new car and new tyres didn’t disappoint with the British driver claiming the top spot in Barcelona, his first of his six wins that season.

Woffinden shines in Poland

Bruno Sousa, euronews: “See you on the 22nd of May for another edition of Speed where we will be looking at the Italian MotoGP. In the meantime, we end the programme with some of the best moments from the Speedway Grand Prix of Poland which saw defending world champion Tai Woffinden clinch his first win of the season. See you soon.”