Currently reading: Motorsport weekend wrap: Hamilton edges Vettel in thrilling Spanish GP

Results round-up: Formula 1, Formula E, World Rallycross and more

Lewis Hamilton edged Formula 1 title rival Sebastian Vettel to take honours in a dramatic Spanish Grand Prix, with the Mercedes ace calling their wheel-to-wheel scrap “awesome”.

Mercedes driver Hamilton started the race at the Circuit de Catalunya on pole, but was overhauled on the run to the first turn by Ferrari driver Vettel. The German pulled out a lead, with Mercedes electing to fit the slower medium compound tyres to Hamilton’s car at his first stop. Hamilton’s chances were boosted when Vettel lost time trying to pass the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, who was running a different fuel strategy.

That helped Hamilton close in, and he made his final stop before Vettel. The German emerged from the pits after his final slot alongside Hamilton, the pair nearly clashing at Turn One before Vettel pulled ahead. But on faster tyres, Hamilton was able to battle past, claiming his 55th career win and moving to within six points of Vettel in the title race.

“It was the rawest fight I can remember having for some time,” said Hamilton. “This is what the sport needs to be every single race. This is why I race. To have that close battle with a four-time champ is awesome.”

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo finished third after Bottas retired with an engine failure. Max Verstappen, who won the race last year, retired after a first-lap clash with Kimi Räikkönen.

The next F1 race is the Monaco Grand Prix on May 28.

F1 vettel hamilton spain podium

FIA Formula E: Monaco

Renault e.dams driver Sébastien Buemi took his fourth win of the FIA Formula E season in Monaco, fending off a determined late-race charge from Lucas di Grassi.

After a mid-race safety car eroded Buemi’s early lead, di Grassi charged onto the Swiss driver’s tail in the closing laps, eventually finishing just 0.320sec adrift.

Formulae buemi digrassi monaco

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FIA World Rallycross Championship: Mettet, Belgium

Petter Solberg’s Volkswagen-backed PSRX team claimed its first FIA World Rallycross Championship victory in Belgium – although it was Solberg’s team-mate Johan Kristoffersson who took glory.

Peugeot’s Timmy Hansen led much of the final before picking up a late puncture, allowing Polo drivers Kristofferson and Solberg to slip past on the run to the line. Audi’s Mattias Ekström, who had won the first four events of the year, finished fourth.

Worldrx kristoffersson solberg belgium

Round-up: FIA Formula 2, IndyCar Series, FIA World Touring Car Championship

  • Ferrari junior driver Charles Leclerc extended his F2 championship lead with a win and a fourth place in the two races at Barcelona. Honda-backed Nobuharu Matsushita was the other race winner.
  • Penske’s Will Power took his first win of the IndyCar Series season on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course. Scott Dixon finished second.
  • A drive-through penalty for first-lap contact ended Briton Rob Huff’s victory chances in the second FIA World Touring Car Championship race at the Hungaroring. Mehdi Bennani took the glory, with points lead Tiago Monteiro winning the other race.

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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