Ferrari gives in to Verstappen and Alonso reacts in Montmeló

• Spanish GP Classification and times

• A "misunderstanding" in Alpine Alonso, in his worst position in Montmeló since 2001

• Tension between Alonso and the FIA ​​From the reprimand to a conversation in front of the entire 'paddock'

• World Cup 2022 The pulse between Leclerc and Verstappen

At the same circuit where he won for the first time, at just 18 years old,

dealt a terrible blow to Ferrari.

In Montmeló, on an asphalt at almost 50ºC, the current champion took advantage of the misfortune of

, victim of a breakdown, to close his fourth victory of the course and the first double for Red Bull.

Sergio

, author of the fastest lap, must be given extraordinary merit.

Just like

off the podium

, the victim of a couple of big mistakes.

At least, his overtaking on the penultimate lap against

left the Spanish fans with a good taste in their mouths, who also cheered on the brave comeback from

.

Sainz's fourth place and Alonso's ninth, who had started last after an engine change, represent a minimal retribution for so much encouragement from the stands.

Instead, Verstappen's resounding success satiates the thousands of Dutch fans.

And it fulfills the ambition of

, boss of Red Bull.

His pilot is the new leader of the World Championship, with a six-point advantage over the unfortunate Leclerc.

There was a reward for Verstappen's patience, Pérez's invaluable work and Alonso's steady hand, who had gained five positions on the first lap alone.

There were cheers for Russell and divided opinions for Hamilton, who had been warned by the stewards for his repeated track limit violations.

After overflowing Sainz, in search of fourth place, a mechanical setback deprived Mercedes of his definitive resurrection.

The wind and the tops

In any case, no calamity like that of Ferrari.

Not only because of Leclerc's break, but because from the start Sainz's good intentions were reduced to dust.

Without traction or without touch with the clutch, he saw Russell and Pérez pass by on his right, whom he almost took ahead in turn 2. Seeing the situation, even Hamilton wanted to get out, although his spirit was truncated by the recklessness by

.

The puncture relegated the seven-time champion, while his garage partner battled with the best.

And it is that from the beginning there were legitimate podium options for Mercedes, given the facilities that Sainz granted.

On the seventh lap, while the main grandstand vibrated with Alonso's interior against

, the Madrid native took an excursion through the gravel.

Exactly in that area, the Repsol curve, Verstappen spun, to the chagrin of some orange-tinted stands.

As much as he blamed a gust of wind, the champion's real problem hadn't surfaced yet.

Barely nine laps had been completed and victory seemed like a chimera for

, deranged by Russell's slipstream and victim of the malfunction of his DRS.

Even when Red Bull tried to gain an advantage in the pit lane, the Briton did not lose his place.

If any daredevil doubted his talent, he answered bravely.

And his was the best maneuver of the afternoon.

On lap 24, when Verstappen was charging like a man possessed at the end of the straight, Russell simply said no.

Precision at Red Bull

Without intending to, Mercedes played into Leclerc's game, who had a 27-second margin when he complied with the pertinent tire change, solved by Ferrari in a jiffy (2.2 seconds).

At that time a third of the race was completed and no one would have ventured such a drama.

However, on lap 27, a breakdown left the leader stranded.

And not even the words in

's ear served as encouragement for Leclerc.

Immediately, the good news seemed to rub off on Pérez, who bravely broke away from Russell to gain a testimonial lead.

Of course, such a privilege belonged to Verstappen, who would no longer find obstacles until the checkered flag.

The replacement of him with the Pirelli soft compound was enough to demonstrate his unquestionable superiority over the rest.

And the 2.4 seconds of the stop, by the work and grace of Red Bull, culminated an almost perfect work.

Returning to the asphalt, he had a few meters, enough, against Russell.

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• Fernando Alonso

• Carlos Sainz Jr.

• Max Verstappen

• Sergio Perez

• Red Bull Racing