But this was no visual games fantasy for Max Verstappen, who turned up on the grid for the Spanish GP and won it. In doing so, he turned the record books upside down with this historical win.
His victory, is all the more astounding when, just a week earlier, Verstappen was promoted from Toro Rosso to the Red Bull outfit.
Starting the race, all eyes were on the continuing drama between Lewis Hamilton, without a GP win all season, and bitter rival and team-mate – Nico Rosberg.
Rosberg, who has been in fine form all season, winning the first 3 GPs, has startled Hamilton, who has struggled not only with his performances but his car. Often struggling to make up the points just to stay in touch with the runaway leader so far.
Hamilton had other ideas in Barcelona. Looking to assert his championship credentials and make a mark, the 2015 champion, took a massive gamble at the start of the race. Qualifying in pole position, Hamilton knew he needed a fast start. But that quickly evaporated as Rosberg overtook him by the first turn. Unfortunately for the British rider, his impatience got the better of him, as he made for the gap on Rosberg’s inside. But his Mercedes team-mate held his position – and in doing so – Hamilton’s car went off into the grass and came back onto the track taking out Rosberg.
With the top two riders out of the race so early, it gave an early chance to Verstappen’s team-mate Daniel Ricciardo to lead. The Red Bull man set the pace and led for nearly 30 laps in Barcelona, before his team pulled him in for a stop. This gave way for Verstappen to lead, which he did until the end but not without pressure.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikonnen chased the Dutchman hard around the Spanish circuit. And at one point had narrowed the gap down to one second. But he held off the advances for nearly 22 laps to close out a historical win in the day of F1 racing.
After becoming the person from Holland to win a grand prix, he paid tribute to his dad, who was also a F1 driver. “My dad helped me a lot to achieve this, this is amazing.”‘
Amazing’ it certainly was. Verstappen at 18 years, seven months and five days, becomes the youngest ever winner of a grand prix from the likes of Vettel (21 years,) Alonso and Hamilton (22 years,) and Michael Schumacher at 23 and Ayrton Senna at 25 years respectively.
Meanwhile, Rosberg holds the championship lead of 43 points over Hamilton. The British rider needs a GP win and soon, if he holds any chance of getting back into the title race this season.
