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Stars align to gift Verstappen maiden F1 win

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Image for Stars align to gift Verstappen maiden F1 win

At 18-years-old (and 228 days) Max Verstappen has become the youngest winner in Formula One history.

Sebastian Vettel previously held the record, but Verstappen has smashed that milestone by two years and 210 days.

The stars certainly aligned themselves to culminate in what will be remembered as an historical Spanish Grand Prix.

Firstly the duelling Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who had looked set to battle it out for the top two spots on the podium in a race of their own, collided on turn 4 of the opening lap of the race.

With the pair left in the gravel trap, it was between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari to contest the win.

It looked like Daniel Ricciardo or Sebastian Vettel would take the win, but both teams messed up their tyre strategies, forcing them into a three stop strategy, whilst Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen raced on with a split strategy of two stops.

It worked for the young Dutchman and with Kimi unable to overtake around the Barcelona track, history was made and in his first race for Red Bull, after the team dumped Daniil Kvyat and promoted Verstappen from sister team Toro Rosso.

‘It feels amazing. I cannot believe it, It was a great race. I have to say thanks to the team for making such a great car.

‘To win straight away in the first race is an amazing feeling.?
Verstappen told formula1.com.

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said: ?An unbelievable achievement, We?re in shock from our side.

?We know this year that our races have been reasonably competitive, and the updates we brought have done their job? but to see this kind of result is a dream come true, a dream debut.

?We took the opportunity with Mercedes not being there, but we had to cover Ferrari today – they probably had the faster car in clean air. So for Max to soak up all that pressure? he didn?t make a single mistake, not just today but all weekend. And at only 18? Unbelievable.?

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