The strategic spectacle at the Spanish Grand Prix was not only a delight for local fans but also caught the attention of international media. Max Verstappen once again had to fight tooth and nail for victory, with a blunder from McLaren aiding his cause. Despite the British team reportedly having a faster car, one should never underestimate Verstappen’s ‘robotic’ precision. Here’s what the international media had to say about the Spanish Grand Prix.
The journalists from Spain’s Marca, who were watching a race on their home turf, expressed disappointment at McLaren’s lackluster performance. The Spaniards had hoped for a more thrilling battle for victory and criticized the ‘scandalous’ performance of the British team. “Verstappen and McLaren’s strategy put an end to the idea that there is still a fight for the championship,” the sports newspaper stated. “Fernando Alonso confirmed it afterwards, ‘This World Championship will be won by Verstappen’. The car may be fantastic, but McLaren lacks the right skills due to a lack of victories in recent years.”
Formula 1 Race Compared to European Championship Thriller
Our Eastern neighbors, currently engrossed in the European Championship, are comparing the Spanish Formula 1 race to football. “What a race in Spain!” they exclaim. “The Netherlands beats England – and that while being outnumbered.” Verstappen managed to keep three Brits – Norris, Hamilton, and Russell – at bay. “In the end, only the victory counts, and that went to the Dutchman,” the text continues. “While Sergio Pérez falls in the midfield, his teammate takes another important step towards his fourth title – while the competition takes points off each other.”
According to the Germans, Red Bull owes the victory mainly to Verstappen. The car still left much to be desired in Barcelona. “The new parts did not work,” is the verdict of BILD, “and yet their driver races to victory. Not a victory of Red Bull. A triumph of Max Verstappen.”
‘A Title Fight Will Come One Day’
The Daily Mail watched with regret as Lando Norris could not cash in a second victory. Yet, the English are hopeful for a new title fight. “One day, Norris and McLaren will get it 100% right, and a championship battle will break out,” the newspaper writes. In Barcelona, they saw how the 24-year-old Brit is not yet ready for this fight. “He learned that if you want to win a title, you must give Verstappen zero space,” the Daily Mail explains. “He’s too good for that, and he proved it again.”
The Italian media were once again happy that Verstappen had to fight for the win. Gazzetta dello Sport stated that the Limburger no longer relies on the ‘rocket’ he had at his disposal in other races. Winning now has everything to do with his ‘robotic’ qualities. “The overtaking action on Norris at the start and that on Russell at the beginning of the second round paved the way for him,” the Italians record. “Brilliant tire management does the rest.”
