Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull's Max Verstappen cruised to a third consecutive victory, his fifth in seven races, to win the Spanish Grand Prix and take control of the season.

The Dutchman's 40th career victory extended his championship lead over team-mate Sergio Perez to 53 points.

Verstappen was followed home by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on an encouraging day for Mercedes.

Russell faced a charge from Perez in the closing laps but held on for his first podium finish of the year.

Carlos Sainz slipped from second on the grid to fifth at the finish in the upgraded Ferrari, losing fourth to Perez in the closing stages.

Read the full report here

Image source, Reuters

A chin-stroking chat between the top-two drivers signals a good day's work at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

That's a wrap for the seventh race of the season. Gracias, Spain. A happy hunting ground for the championship leader and the two upgraded Mercedes.

Where is Formula 1 heading to next? It's Montreal and the Canadian Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

We'll be back to take you through every session, starting with first and second practice on Friday, 16 June. Set your alarms for 18:00 BST for build up.

Career victory number 40 is in the record books for dominant Dutchman Verstappen and Red Bull have taken every race win so far this season. Can anyone stop them?

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and see you soon!

Charles Leclerc is chatting to Sky Sports and understandably looks down in the dumps. "The feeling was a little bit better today," is the tiny positive light the Ferrari driver can pull out of an otherwise miserable weekend.

It was a busy old pit lane in Barcelona after a string of one-stop races.

Image source, Pirelli Motorsport

Image source, Getty Images

Fernando Alonso talking to Sky Sports: "We didn't have the pace, we were not fast enough with the softs or fast in the end with the hards. We'll see why and try to get better for Canada."

On the Aston Martin teamwork this season: "I was one or two tenths faster than Lance but not quick enough to get to him. It was the same sixth and seventh, seventh and sixth so I said let's bring it home.

"Ferrari is a fast car but they seem to only score with one car. But Mercedes is still there."

Max Verstappen finished his stint in the Red Bull 24 seconds clear of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Spare a thought for Lando Norris. A surprise third place in qualifying couldn't deliver the McLaren driver a podium moment today after his troubles on the opening lap. That's the Briton's fourth P17 finish this season.

Image source, Formula 1

George Russell on Sky Sports: "I definitely had confidence we could move forward. The race pace was good, I was disappointed with qualifying.

"It's just proof that you need to keep on believing. It was a really enjoyable race.

"It's not the sidepod that makes the difference. It may be a factor but the magic isn't in the sidepod. The magic was done under the car, on the floor - that's the same for every team.

"There is still more work to go to catch up to Max."

On mistaking his own sweat for rain: "It was really annoying, I was sweating throughout the whole race and it was under my visor and I couldn't wipe it."

George Russell is analysing his sweat moment just as much as his Spanish Grand Prix performance. Get him on the Sky Pad so he can break down exactly what happened.

The Mercedes driver gained nine places in Barcelona and held off the threat of the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Not too shabby.

Image source, Formula 1

Image source, Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, who finished eighth in the Spanish Grand Prix, talking to Sky Sports:

"Definitely what we showed in quali yesterday, being on top of he leader board it wasn't the same in the race and that is where our focus needs to go.

"We will sort it out and it's been an awesome two rounds, 19 points, one podium and we can be super satisfied with this we keep pushing."

Sean: "Unstoppable Max" how often has that happened at a GP weekend FP1, 2 & 3, Pole, led every lap, race win and fastest lap. That's absurdly dominant!

Seen Goal: Is Max Verstappen slowly on his way to GOAT status?

Image source, Getty Images

Christian Horner, discussing Sergio Perez, on Sky Sports: "Perez lost out in the early laps and didn't have a great start. I think that was the difference at the end of the day. His race was getting stronger and stronger but just not enough laps to fight for the podium.

"There is a big points split, he has nothing to lose and he can just relax and drive like we know he is capable of.

"It was a good recovery from him and that will give him confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Sergio Perez who finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix: "I think it was damage limitation today. It was difficult to follow the Mercedes especially when we're on the same tyre age. If we wanted more we should've taken a risk in lap one like George did.

"I generally felt that we were not quite there this weekend. This is something we will hopefully fix before Canada.

"We need to be perfect in order to have a good race.

"I think Canada should be a strong race for us. It'll be an interesting one."

A double podium for Mercedes sees them move above Aston Martin in the constructors' championship and into second place.

It will take a lot to catch Red Bull, who are now 135-points clear of the Silver Arrows at the top of the leaderboard.

1. Red Bull - 287

2. Mercedes - 152

3. Aston Martin - 134

4. Ferrari - 100

5. Alpine - 40

6. McLaren - 17

7. Haas - 8

8. Alfa Romeo - 8

9. Alpha Tauri - 2

10. Williams - 1

When will Max Verstappen be lifting his third world title? Before the summer break?!

I'm joking obviously, but the Red Bull driver is romping away from the rest of his competitors and is now 53 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez.

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 170

2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - 117

3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 99

4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 87

5. George Russell (Mercedes) - 65

6. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) - 58

7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 42

8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 35

9. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - 25

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 15

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff talking to Sky Sports, as the upgrades start to make their mark: "I'm very happy for the hard work that has been done. We took some decisions to go in another direction. We changed so many parts, with many variables we don't understand. It was a risky move.

"I think we needed the shock at the beginning of the season - that shook it up. There are lead times. You need to design parts and then you need to produce them

"It was concentrating on what we think we know well but it is all down to the engineering teams.

"But you see where the benchmark is, and it's not where we want to be. We just need to chip away and as you see from our times, we are really good at grinding.

"We need to be realistic - this track suited us."

Matthew: Which tracks can give Red Bull a challenge? Cause this season has been pretty dominant and it's giving me 2002 and 2004 vibes.

Jim: So fp1, 2, 3, qualifying, and race won by the same driver. No safety cars. Was there even a flag? The borefest that F1 has become continues.

Chris: Even the team don't sound particularly excited about winning...just shows how dominant the car is. Dullest championship since 2002?

Image source, Getty Images

George Russell, who finished third in the Spanish Grand Prix:

"A litle bit surprised for sure. Kudos to the team for giving me a great car today. A sign of things to come hopefully for us and the team.

"(The car) feels better but you are putting in those lap times and comparing them what the Ferraris and the Astons are doing and we were quicker and quicker.

"Really pleased we're on the podium."

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton who finished second at the Spanish Grand Prix: "What an awesome crowd here in Spain, like every year.

"What a result for our team, we definitely didn’t expect the result we had today.

"Hats off to my team, a big thank you to the team back at the factory to continue to push and bring us a bit close to the Red Bulls. They're still a bit ahead.

"We'll keep chasing them down, George did a great job today.

"I think Red Bull's pace is quick but we're working at it.

"One step at a time, if we can get close to them by the end of the year, that will be awesome, if not then next year.

On still being motivated: "Flat out, not lifting."

Image source, Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Spanish Grand Prix winner: "It's a big pleasure to drive with a car like this and it showed again today, We had quite a lot of different tyre strategies today.

"I knew the start was going to be a bit tricky going into turn one but luckily nothing happened.

"We had another strong weekend and that's what I like to see for myself in the weekend and hopefully we keep that up for the year."

Time for some post-race thoughts from Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell...