Spanish Grand Prix 2017 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Lewis Hamilton delivered a masterclass at the Spanish Grand Prix, converting pole position into a dominant victory at Barcelona-Catalunya to close the championship gap to Vettel. The Mercedes driver controlled the race from start to finish, demonstrating the W08's effectiveness at a circuit that serves as a comprehensive test of car performance across all technical demands.

Starting from pole, Hamilton made a clean getaway and built a comfortable lead over Vettel, who finished second for Ferrari. The championship leader couldn't match Hamilton's pace on the day, as Mercedes' upgrades and setup work paid dividends. Daniel Ricciardo completed the podium in third for Red Bull, securing the team's first rostrum finish of the season and showing the RB13 was making progress despite its Renault power unit disadvantages. Hamilton also set the fastest lap, collecting maximum points to reduce Vettel's championship lead to just six points.

The victory was Hamilton's fourth at Barcelona and demonstrated Mercedes' ability to respond when Ferrari had appeared to gain the upper hand. The close championship battle was shaping up to be one of the finest in recent years, with both Hamilton and Vettel trading blows race by race. The result meant just six points separated the title rivals heading into Monaco, setting up a crucial street circuit encounter where passing opportunities would be minimal and qualifying performance paramount.