He’s only 18, but Max Verstappen has officially won a Formula One Grand Prix!
Merely days after being promoted from feeder team Torro Rosso, Verstappen capitalized on a catastrophic rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to clinch the Spanish Grand Prix title.
Verstappen was fourth on the grid, after a scintillating performance during the qualifying session. But Rosberg and Hamilton crashed into one another, just as the reigning world champion was attempting to pass his teammate on the first lap.
Ricciardo was immediately promoted to first, with Verstappen behind him. The former led the race for almost 28 laps, though Red Bull’s decision to put him on a three-stop strategy ultimately backfired as Verstappen seized the lead.
But it was never easy for the youngster either. Raikkonen applied pressure all the way till the end, though the 18 year-old showcased tremendous composure to put in a perfect shift and hold on for his first ever Grand Prix win.
VES: "I can't believe it. To win straight away in my first race for Red Bull is incredible" #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/jPqCZre9hU
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 15, 2016
JOS VERSTAPPEN: "[My son] is only 18 and the way he raced was unbelievable. I can't believe it" #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/F85owLF1Xu
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 15, 2016
More to come…
Other posts by FO Newsdesk
