The 2016 Spanish GP will remain in the history of Formula 1. Not for the incredible harakiri of the Mercedes on the first lap, not for the second and third place of the Ferraris, with Raikkonen and Vettel, however unable to take advantage of the assist from their great rivals, but for the feat of a baby phenomenon, Max Verstappen, who became the youngest ever to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
In his first race with Red Bull, where he took over from Daniil Kvyat after a season and a half with Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old Dutch son of an artist confirmed that he is a champion, as they have been saying since the days of kart: he took the lead towards the middle of the race and never let go, making the most of the tyres, the car and keeping behind a fox like Kimi Raikkonen who is twice his age, while Vettel saw him from further away , helpless, snatch the record of the youngest winner, which he held since 2010.
Conquered the fourth place on the grid, already a remarkable exploit, many expected a podium for Verstappen, but the twist of the first lap, when Hamilton and Rosberg eliminated themselves, clashing for a more than ephemeral first place in the first lap (on the the race marshals expressed their opinion, relieving the drivers of any responsibility), it opened an unexpected window for him that he was able to make the most of, supporting the choices of the low wall on strategy and never giving in to the tension that every hare feels growing inside himself, lap after lap, when he found himself in front of everyone.
“It's unbelievable, it was a great race,” Max told team radio after the finish before bursting into tears, venting all his emotion. “Thanks to the team, who gave me a chance and a fantastic car, thanks to dad who helped me a lot – he said later -. We chose the best strategy with the medium tires and I was fine. I just had to not make any mistakes."
