Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris to win Spanish GP and increase F1 lead

MONTMELÓ, Spain (AP) — Max Verstappen doesn’t need a dominant car to stay on course for a fourth straight Formula 1 title. The Dutchman proved that on Sunday when he turned in a perfectly executed performance to fend off a hard-charging Lando Norris and win the Spanish Grand Prix. “We should have won today,” Norris said. “We had the quickest car.” Mercedes and Norris’ McLaren had both closed the gap with Verstappen’s Red Bull in recent races, and Norris was gunning for a win after having edged Verstappen in qualifying to take pole position. But the three-time champion muscled past Norris right off the starting grid, overtook early leader George Russell’s Mercedes and then never looked back. Verstappen was able to muster just enough pace over the final laps to cross first while Norris had to settle for second place. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was third. It was the first podium of 2024 for the seven-time world champion, who is in his last season before joining Ferrari next season. Verstappen said that his moves to get past Norris and Russell so early proved crucial so he could build an advantage and keep the hard-charging Norris at bay. “What made the...