The 2021 season is proving to be a brilliant one and after another thriller Lewis Hamilton is the one celebrating.

Hope you all enjoyed that one. Monaco next up in a couple of weeks. Don't miss the Chequered Flag podcast on the BBC Sport website later on today.

Thanks for your company and your comments. See you next time.

Bye for now.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes produced a brilliant, attacking, strategic race to beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the Spanish Grand Prix.

Hamilton's third win in four races this season came despite losing the lead to Verstappen at the first corner.

Mercedes put Hamilton on a two-stop strategy and the seven-time champion closed a 23-second deficit in 18 laps to pass the Red Bull with six laps to go.

Verstappen bailed on his one-stop strategy after losing the lead and took second and the point for fastest lap as consolation.

Hamilton's victory was the 98th of his career, after he set his 100th pole position on Saturday, and it extends his championship lead to 14 points.

James Vincent: Absolutely incredible. The can be no doubt that Lewis Hamilton is the GOAT.

Les Abrahams: Sensational strategy from Mercedes.

Yannis Rigas: That's why he is a seven-time world champion.

George Russell was sitting 10th with 10 laps to go, but strategy caught up with him and Williams with him ending 14th, two places ahead of team-mate Nicholas Latifi.

We have a weekend off next week then it's a return to Monaco, after F1 did not manage to get there last year because of coronavirus.

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Rob Hill: Bottas strongly making the case for Mercedes to replace him with Russell.

More from Red Bull's Christian Horner, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is great we have made that step forward and are giving these guys [Mercedes] a hard time.

"They have had it so easy the last five, six years. It is good for F1. We are not going to give up."

It's a first and third for Mercedes and they have had two cars on the podium at each of the four races this season, apart from at race two at Imola when Bottas was smashed into by George Russell and failed to finish.

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McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo, who finished sixth, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a smoother weekend and the best one of the year so far.

"It is not often - no offence Barcelona you are a beautiful city - you get excited to come here. We do so much testing here."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, speaking to Sky Sports: "I don't think we could [have done anything differently]. In fairness, hats off to Mercedes and Lewis.

"They were just quicker than we were today. We were surprised they didn't go for the early undercut. [At the end] We knew he was probably going to catch us.

"They just looked like they had a quicker car today. They were able to follow so closely. They had nothing to lose when taking that pit stop into the clean air."

Philip West: If he wasn’t a ‘nice guy’, Bottas would’ve been peddled by Mercedes by now. The only reason they’re keeping him is because he isn’t Nico Rosberg, won’t disrupt the team harmony, and won’t challenge Hamilton. Harsh, but that’s the reality.

Lewis Hamilton's lead at the beginning of the day was eight points and now it's 14 points over Max Verstappen.

Only Hamilton and Verstappen have finished in the top two at any of the four races in 2021.

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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had a quick car. Obviously to lose position in the first lap puts you on the back foot.

"When you look at yesterday in qualifying - three cars in a tenth - you never know how it is going to end. I hope it is like this until the end of the season. It is what the sport needs.

"Brilliant, brilliant by the team at home. I am so proud. It takes a bold move."

Richard Cassidy: What a race! Bottas is mega fast team mate, Verstappen is a fearsome rival, but what can you do against the GOAT? Incredible racing today. We are in the presence of greatness.

James Stevenson: Amazing team win from Mercedes and Hamilton. They’re going to be extra chuffed with that one. Strategic masterclass + driving mastery = that.

Valtteri Bottas, who finished third: "What made it more tricky was I lost a place to Charles at lap one. He chose a better line through Turn Three.

"That compromised the race a bit. It is a bit of a shame but I am pleased to make it to the podium."

Max Verstappen, who finished second: "In a way I could see it coming.

"Already at the end with the softs, he [Hamilton] was faster and when he put on the mediums, he had a lot more pace. There was not much we could've done.

"Then they went for another stop and I knew it was over because I was already struggling with the tyres and you could see every lap, he was getting closer and closer. Bit of a sitting duck.

"With the cars behind, you don't want to pit in traffic, but it makes a clear advantage when there is more pace in the car. If we would have jumped for another stop, I'm not sure we would've caught up again. I tried everything I could.

"We're not where we want to be and we still need to push hard and catch up because at the moment we are a little bit slower. But compared to last year, it has been a jump for us."

Race-winner Lewis Hamilton: "First I want to acknowledge the fans that are here. It is great to see. I saw a British flag out there which I haven't seen for a long, long time. I feel great after this. I feel like I could go again.

"I was so close [behind Verstappen] for so long but just managed to keep the tyres in somehow. 22 seconds was a long way to come back but it was a good gamble - a really great strategy from the team.

"I was about to get a shot to get past him as I pitted. I was really conflicted - 'do I come in or ignore the call'. I did what the team asked because there is a great trust between us. Remarkable job by everyone in this team. What a day."

Time for some quotes from the top three, starting with the world champion, race winner and current title leader.