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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19
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Analysis

Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked

In the history books, Max Verstappen’s 2023 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix victory will appear another seamless and supreme performance, with shades of Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 triumph at the same venue. But digging a little deeper reveals it was far from straightforward for the reigning world champion, highlighted by a backdrop of intriguing action for the podium places

“I was just in a daze out there. I didn’t even know it was the last lap at the end. That’s how zoned in I was. I was ready to keep going.”

This was not how Max Verstappen felt finishing the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, but how the driver behind him last Sunday at Barcelona had three years earlier.

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