Start-to-finish victory for Verstappen as PETER COSTER reports on better behaviour on the grid walk.
The Spanish Grand Prix was predictable, with Max Verstappen conducting as master class in there Are Bull while leading from start to finish.
His only blemish was to exceed track limits on three occasions, leading to a warning that another incursion would incur a penalty.
That wouldn’t have mattered because he was nearly 25 seconds ahead of second place finisher Lewis Hamilton and a likely penalty would not have been more than five seconds.
More interesting to television viewers was the absence of security thuggery during Martin Brundle’s grid walk.
Cordons around celebrities have behaved more like bouncers, as they used to be called, outside bars and nightclubs.
In Miami, former triple world champion Jackie Stewart, unmistakable in tartan cap and trews, was set upon by security guards when he tried to intercede with tennis champion Roger Federer.
“Don’t beat up Jackie Stewart,” shouted Brundle, who had already been pushed back.
At Monaco, Brundle was manhandled by a towering, expletive shouting thug as he tried to talk to Red Ball boss Christian Horner.
What is it with these guys?
The answer is, they don’t know any better and and even less, if that is possible, about F1.
Brundle, who stood on the podium nine times as a driver in a celebrated F1 career, doesn’t ask intrusive questions during his grid walks, which have become one of the highlights of the F1 show at races around the world.
His most in-depth inquires usually centre around, who do you support in today’s race?
At least in Spain on Sunday, the celebrities seem to have got the message, even if the security thugs are still struggling and in need of a non-bash briefing before the race; just as drivers are given pre-race briefings.
Commentators gushed over the reception Brundle received on Sunday from Hollywood A-listers Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones “in a touching moment,” as it was overstated.
Brundle started with, “Michael, Catherine, two amazing actors, of course, before Douglas interrupted with, “Can I just stoped you for a second to say what an excellent job you do, weekend in, weekend out.
“I’m so impressed, both here in the pits and your colour commentary. You’re amazing!”
Brundle, clearly chuffed, responded with, “I really appreciate it, you’ve made my day. Thank you very much!”
Zeta-Jones said she “used to watch F1 with my dad in the Nigel Mansell years.”
There was more. “I second Michael, your work, what you do, you really make it for everybody back home.”
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was during the Mansell years that Brundle showed the courage it takes to be a Grand Prix driver.
Brundle was involved in an incident at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, which looked as if it could have been life-ending.
His car flipped into a barrel-roll that might be have seen by one of the RAAF Roulette team before finishing upside down beside the rack.
Bundle was soon seen running down the pit lane to jump into the Jordan team’s spare car.
“I can still remember that accident from 1996 in slow motion as the car is going up in the air and turning over,” said Brundle “and I’m thinking, please don’t go up in the trees.”
This correspondent was there as Brundle ran past the pits, giving a track marshal a thumbs up. It was an unforgettable moment in a dangerous sport.
“You’re hardwired to just race again,” Bundle said later.
He had been given a so-called safety check when he ran back to the pit lane. All that was required in those very different days was reciting the day’s date.
So, back to the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on Sunday.
Verstappen was untroubled by such niceties as not infringing the track limits. He didn’t think he had and what did it matter?
The Red Bull showed its superiority having won on the streets circuits of Miami and Monaco before doubling down on the high-speed circuit at Catalunya.
Mercedes can look forward to a better season after finishing second with Lewis Hamilton and third with teammate George Russell.
Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull was fourth after going off the track in qualifying.
Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari was fifth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc could manage only eleventh.
Lance Stroll came in sixth for Aston Martin ahead of Fernando Alonso in seventh.
It spoilt Alonso’s string of podium finishes for Aston Martin. The former double world champion could probably have passed his teammate, but had radioed hhe wasn’t going to try, which might have brought a fatherly smile to Lawrence Stroll’s face.
The Canadian billionaire owns the Aston Martin term and will be hoping either his son or Alonso will be on the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix in two week’s time.
Alonso is philosophical about the term’s chances. The car is powered by Mercedes and lacked the straight-line speed also affecting affecting the Mercedes team and drivers Hamilton and Russell.
The Honda-powered Red Bulls are the class of the grid, but that will change when Honda powers Aston Martin from 2026.
Red Bull will build its own engines through the developing Red Bull Power Trains project.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo remains Red Bull’s reserve driver while hoping for a race seat with a top term next year.
A driver reshuffle at Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes might decide this, but more likely Ricciardo may have to look further down the grid.
And nothing might happen there for the Australian, who won seven races in his original stint at Red Bull and the Italian Grand Prix at McLaren before being replaced by fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, who was 13th and out of the points for McLaren at Catalunya on Sunday.
Teammate Lando Norris finished 17th after a first lap collision put him into the pits for a new nose section.
Norris had been third in qualifying but the McLaren had poor race pace. Piastri made the top 10 and started ninth after another driver was penalised.
The Melbourne rookie is quick to admit his mistakes after winning all the junior championships and promises to be a race winner.
PETER COSTER is a former editor and foreign correspondent who has covered a range of international sports, including world championship fights and the Olympic Games.
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