Piastri wins Spanish Grand Prix to extend his title lead

Norris is second as Ferrari’s Leclerc completes the podium

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Lando Norris lost ground in the championship race after McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri produced a flawless performance to win yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Norris started second and finished in the same position – despite losing out to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen off the line – taking the chequered flag 2.4 seconds behind Piastri.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium after he fought his way past Verstappen following a late safety car restart.

However, Verstappen accused Leclerc of driving into him as the two made slight contact on the straight and then fell off the road as he attempted to defend from George Russell.

Verstappen was advised to give the position to Russell to avoid a penalty, and while he seemed set to let Russell through, he appeared to drive into the Mercedes.

“What the fuck?” Russell said on the radio, with Verstappen later making way. Russell crossed the line in fourth, with Verstappen fifth. However, Verstappen was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards, demoting him to 10th.

Lewis Hamilton finished a poor seventh after he was passed by Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg in the closing stages.