Max Verstappen leads Red Bull one-two as Charles Leclerc is forced to quit Spanish GP

World champion Max Verstappen overcame a series of problems to triumph in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday and claim the lead in this year's title race.

On a day of anguish for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari, Verstappen's victory in a Red Bull one-two was his third in succession as he came home 13 seconds ahead of his Mexican partner Sergio Perez, with George Russell confirming Mercedes' revival by finishing third.

Leclerc, who had led the championship and dominated practice, set off convincingly from pole position until he was forced to retire his Ferrari with an engine failure, and has fallen to second in the title race with 104 points to the Dutchman's 110.

Beaten at the start, Verstappen was blown off the circuit and had technical problems, but he overcame them to produce a furious drive aided by his teammate's generosity for his second win at the Circuit de Catalunya, where he claimed his maiden victory as a teenager in 2016.

“I went off, when I had a lot of tailwind, and lost the rear,” said the 24-year-old Dutchman. “My DRS was not always working and that made it very tough, but we managed to use strategy to get ahead.

“It was a difficult beginning, but a good end! I tried to stay focused. It is not nice when stuff like that happens. I am very happy to win and happy for 'Checo' [Perez]. It is a great result for the team.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner defended the team decision to order Perez to allow Verstappen to pass him. “It is our responsibility to bring both cars home. It was the right thing to do.”

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc talks with engineers following his car's breakdown. AFP

Russell said: “It was very tough today. I did all I could to hold Max off, but he did a great job. I would love to say Mercedes are