10 Surprises from Spain - The Unexpected Winners and Unlucky Losers of the Spanish Grand Prix
If you thought the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was all about processions and predictable outcomes, you were in for a shock. The Spanish Grand Prix delivered an electrifying display of racing magic and mishaps. Here's our deep dive into the biggest winners and losers of the action-packed weekend.
Winner: Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen once again found himself atop the podium, marking his seventh victory in only 11 races this season. This win was more than just another notch in his belt – it was a testament to his pure skill and determination. Despite losing out on pole to Lando Norris and briefly falling behind George Russell, Verstappen's decisive move to reclaim the lead was nothing short of spectacular. With this triumph, he extended his championship lead to a commanding 69 points, maintaining his position at the top for an astonishing 763 days.
Loser: Sergio Perez
In stark contrast to Verstappen's glory, Sergio Perez struggled to get to grips with his Red Bull this weekend. A difficult qualifying session compounded by a three-place grid penalty left him starting from 11th, and despite gaining a few positions, an eighth-place finish in a car as capable as the RB20 was disappointing. Perez will be eager to bounce back and prove his worth in Austria next week.
Winner: Lando Norris
Although Lando Norris missed out on another Grand Prix win, his consistent performances are showcasing his mettle. Norris finished second behind Verstappen and has now landed in the top two in four of the last five races. His belief that he could still win the championship is a testament to just how far McLaren has come in recent months.
Loser: Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri had a weekend to forget, struggling with his McLaren from the start. A mistake in the final lap of Q3 resulted in a subpar ninth-place start. Despite climbing a few spots during the race, Piastri’s seventh-place finish marked one of his worst results in recent races. He’ll be looking to make significant improvements in the coming rounds.
Winners: Mercedes
The Silver Arrows are steadily climbing back to their former glory with a second consecutive 3-4 finish. Lewis Hamilton enjoyed his best race of the season, securing his first podium of 2024. George Russell's stellar start also caught everyone's attention as he led the opening lap before settling for fourth place, further cementing Mercedes' improvement.
Losers: Ferrari
Home favorite Carlos Sainz and his team, Ferrari, had a rather forgettable weekend. A lack of pace saw Sainz finish sixth, while Charles Leclerc's eighth place was his worst result when completing a race this season. Tensions flared within the team as both drivers shared differing views on their minor on-track collision. Ferrari desperately needs to reevaluate its strategies going forward.
Winners: Alpine
Despite a sluggish start to the season, Alpine managed to score points with both cars for the second race in a row. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon showed promise, finishing ninth and tenth respectively, helping Alpine edge past Haas in the constructors' standings. It’s a small step, but a significant one in their climb up the ranks.
Losers: Williams
Williams had anticipated difficulties at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and the race confirmed their fears. Alex Albon spoke about making progress compared to last year, but their performance was still underwhelming. The FW46's limitations in downforce and its sensitivity to high winds and warm track conditions were brutally exposed. Williams will be hoping for better results at a more favorable track in Austria.
Winner: Zhou Guanyu
Although Zhou Guanyu finished 13th, the weekend was a breakthrough moment for the Chinese driver. By reverting to a previously used chassis, Zhou found renewed confidence in his Sauber, managing to control the car better than in recent races. This lays a solid foundation for future improvements as he continues to search for his first points of the year.
Losers: Aston Martin
Aston Martin faced a tough outing in Spain, failing to score points for the second time in three races despite bringing new upgrades. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll struggled with pace, leaving team principal Mike Krack to label it as ''a race to forget.'' The team has identified areas needing immediate attention but acknowledges that solutions won't come overnight, especially with a packed calendar ahead.