The Latest Breaking News from Mercedes

Alonso started only eighth after two mistakes in qualifying compromised his session and gained only one position to finish seventh in the race behind team-mate Lance Stroll.

Mercedes enjoyed their best race weekend of the year in Barcelona after their car updates, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell best of the rest behind Max Verstappen

Sainz qualified second for his home race, but as has been the case in previous races, Ferrari's comparatively poor race pace made him slide backwards, his Ferrari struggling with the bumpy and fast nature of the Barcelona circuit as it was outclassed by Mercedes on tyre management.

Verstappen was joined by Mercedes pair Hamilton and Russell in the cool down room after winning the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, with the two Brits also performing well

After qualifying a disappointing 12th, Russell confirmed Mercedes' improved race pace from Friday practice to move up to third behind winner Max Verstappen and team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

After qualifying a disappointing 12th, Russell confirmed Mercedes' improved race pace from Friday practice to move up to third behind winner Max Verstappen and team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The Red Bull driver finished 24 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton, with George Russell third and Sergio Pérez fourth in Barcelona

At the start, polesitter Verstappen swung right after leaving the line to cut off the momentum of fellow front-row starter Carlos Sainz, but the Ferrari – on soft tyres versus the mediums on the Red Bull – got a slipstream and attacked on the outside line at Turn 1.

At the start, polesitter Verstappen swung right after leaving the line to cut off the momentum of fellow front row starter Carlos Sainz, but the Ferrari – on soft tyres versus the mediums on the Red Bull – got a slipstream and attacked on the outside line at Turn 1.