Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix looked set to be a showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg and it was for all but three corners on the first lap. Hamilton piloted his Mercedes to easily secure pole position during Saturday’s qualifying session well ahead of the rest of the field. But it’s Sunday where the points are won or lost and team Mercedes not only took a double front row but also took a double KO and in spectacular style. Hamilton made a good getaway at the start of the race but 2nd place Rosberg grabbed the lead going into the fast sweeping turn 1. Hamilton appeared cautious as Rosberg went around the outside but was less forgiving as the two approached turn 3. Rosberg darted to the left as the Mercedes duo exited 3 and a fast approaching Hamilton literally threw caution the wind and went for a gap that was all but closed as briefly as it had appeared. As Rosberg closed the gap Hamilton was drawn to the grass verge. Hamilton skittled over the grass lost traction, spun, slid at 180 degrees and side swiped into the back of Rosberg as the Mercedes driver was braking for turn 4 and both drivers tumbled into the gravel trap. It all happened in a matter of seconds. The debate as to who was to blame will rage on, however with both Mercedes out of the running the Spanish Grand Prix turned out to be a closely fought encounter with the Red Bulls and Ferraris. The Red Bulls have been given a performance shot in the arm due to a power upgrade from Renault. Ricciardo started the race third on the grid and found himself in the lead after the two Mercedes drivers drove one another out of the race. However Ricciardo opted for a three stop tyre strategy as opposed to a two stop strategy used by his team mate, Max Verstappen. Verstappen was making his racing début for the Red Bull after being promoted from Torro Rosso. The 18 year old had no issues with adjusting to his new environment and was straight away on the pace. Behind them were the Ferraris but it was Raikkonen who was the faster driver over Sebastian Vettel, Raikkonen was on a two stop while Vettel hedged his bets on a three stop strategy. Ricciardo was the first driver to pit on lap 11 with Verstappen and Raikkonen following suit on the next lap. Vettel decided to stay out until lap 15 believing he had enough pace to jump both Red Bulls and retain the lead after his scheduled pitstop. It didn’t work out and both Red Bulls resumed first and second places. The racing was close between the Red Bulls and Ferraris but it was the two stop strategy that proved the best option. Verstappen lead the race during the closing stages with Raikkonen holding station in second. During the last 15 laps Raikkonen decided to challenge the unseasoned Verstappen for the lead and clearly the Ferrari was quicker than the Red Bull. However Verstappen remained unflustered and didn’t put a foot wrong as Raikkonen stayed under one second throughout the last few laps. No matter how much pressure Raikkonen applied Verstappen never yielded. Crucially for Verstappen his Red Bull had the better traction going out of the last turn which leads onto the main straight. Two races ago the Red Bull would have been overtaken in a straight line. That is no longer the case. The improved Renault engine allowed Verstappen to just about retain enough of an advantage on the main straight which all but neutralised Raikkonen’s attempt to go for an overtake. Meanwhile Ricciardo had slipped down to 4th place after making his third and final pitstop. The Ferrari of Vettel was third and on slightly less fresher tyres than the Red Bull which was starting to close in on the Ferrari. But one lap from the end the Red Bull’s right rear tyre deflated. Ricciardo made it back to the pits but was still classified as finishing 4th because he was one lap ahead of fifth place finisher Bottas when the race ended. However the day belonged to Verstappen, and as the record books will show at age 18 he becomes the youngest winner of a Grand Prix.   2016 Spanish Grand Prix Results