Formula 1: Max Verstappen wins Spanish GP, makes it a hat-trick of wins

Max Verstappen made it three successive F1 race wins - and claimed his fifth victory of the season - at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Red Bull racer started from pole position and held off Carlos Sainz's early attack before cruising to a third career victory at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the Dutchman achieved his maiden F1 race win in 2016.

Mercedes drivers filled the other steps of the podium, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in second place ahead of team-mate George Russell in third, while the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez clinched fourth place after starting from 11th on the grid.

As a result, Verstappen extended his lead over Perez at the top of the drivers' championship standings to 53 points after seven rounds.

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