Piastri wins Spanish GP as Verstappen penalised after late controversy

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a controversial final few laps involving Max Verstappen in a McLaren one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix under the guidance of late safety car.

Verstappen participated in numerous incidents with Mercedes’ George Russell and was forced to use hard tires for the final sprint to the flag.

Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for colliding with Russell after crossing the line fifth but dropped to 10th.

The four-time champion was on pace for third place before the safety car due to Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli’s engine failure, and had kept the pressure on the McLarens with a three-stop strategy compared to their two.

At the restart, he lost control of those around him, and there were a series of bizarre, almost unbelievable incidents.

Verstappen almost lost his car as the race resumed with five laps left when he experienced a massive wobble as he slowed to a fast final corner.

Leclerc pulled alongside Verstappen while the Ferrari reversed direction and the two vehicles shook as they both sat still in Verstappen’s lap.

At Turn One, Russell plunged down Verstappen’s interior, and the Red Bull made contact with the driver, who held the position while retaining the escape road.

Verstappen alleged that Russell had pushed him away, but Verstappen’s engineer, Giampiero Lambiase, cited the rules for racing, which state that a driver has the right to turn around if they are far enough away from going in.

Verstappen appeared to be moving over to the inside to allow Russell to pass him outside Turn Four with two laps left.

Verstappen then suddenly appeared inside and speared into Russell’s car as he went around him.

Verstappen was fined for the incident after the Briton questioned what was happening on the radio.

Verstappen had used Red Bull’s strategy to pressure the McLarens throughout the madcap final laps.

After the Briton made a slow start, the Dutchman moved into second place behind Norris into the first corner, but Verstappen started to struggle with his tyres after initially pressing Piastri on the first lap.

Verstappen made his first stop on the following lap, and Norris quickly made it on Verstappen’s tail and passed him on lap 13.

Norris and Piastri were left out for an additional seven and eight laps as a result of McLaren sticking to their two-stop setup.

McLaren was aware of his three-stop strategy when Verstappen made another stop on lap 29. He soon began closing on the McLarens in front of him and quickly regained the third spot he had lost to Leclerc.

Verstappen was four seconds ahead of Norris, who was typically three to four seconds, in the middle.

And McLaren responded with first Norris and then Piastri on the following laps when the Red Bull pitted for the third time on lap 47.

Before the safety car arrived, the three were running nose-to-tail after the pit stops, but Piastri started to distance himself from Verstappen, who had also distanced himself.

After the restart, Nico Hulkenberg led Sauber to a fantastic result, passing Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari for fifth place.