Max Verstappen made history with his new team in the Spanish Grand Prix, as he became the youngest Formula One driver to win a race. He overtakes Sebastian Vettel’s previous record, which he earned when winning the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at the age of 21.
At the age of 18 years and 228 days, Max Verstappen takes his first career victory and enters his way into the history books as that youngest Grand Prix winner of all-time. This comes on his first race with Red Bull, swapping his Toro Rosso seat with Daniil Kvyat after the Russian Grand Prix. This record will remain in the history books for a long time, as the FIA has changed regulations that mean you need to be at least 18 in order to qualify for your Formula One license.
Early in the race, the Red Bulls were able to take the lead of the Grand Prix when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg made contact with each other on the opening lap, sending both cars into the gravel and out of the race. Verstappen’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo was in the lead for the first two pit stop cycles, but when Ricciardo pitted the third time, he handed his teammate the lead.
Kimi Räikkönen put up a good fight for the lead, but he wasn’t able to take the race victory, despite being within one second for many laps. The Red Bull car proved to be faster in the technical portion of the circuit, including the last corner. Although the Ferrari had more raw power on the straights, Räikkönen wasn’t able to get a good exit from the penultimate corner, which compromised his speed on the final straight.
The podium was completed by Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo narrowly missed the podium after a puncture on the penultimate lap while battling with Vettel for third position.
