May 15, 2016- Max Verstappen leading the Spanish GP 2016 on lap 55. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

Spanish GP 2016- The Rise of Max Verstappen in Formula 1!

Relive the tale of the first time the Dutch Lion roared in Formula 1!

May 15, 2016- Max Verstappen leading the Spanish GP 2016 on lap 55. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

The 2016 Spanish GP was one of the historical races of Formula 1. It was a race which would lead to a huge change in Formula 1 racing very soon. Spanish GP 2016 was Max Verstappen’s first race with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Verstappen made his debut in Formula 1 in the previous year with the Red Bull junior team- Toro Rosso. The Dutchman was to replace Daniel Kvyat Red Bull Racing in 2016.

In his first race with Red Bull Racing, Verstappen set aspirations for his future career. Since then, the Dutch lion has won more than 60 races in Formula 1. He has won four championships with Red Bull Racing and is a title contender in 2025. Verstappen’s story in the Spanish GP 2016 was truly the rise of the “Dutch Lion” in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton are the only 2 #SpanishGP winners since 2016 😮 #FIA #F1 pic.twitter.com/BAZqLpcF28
— FIA (@fia) May 27, 2025

The race was not only Verstappen’s first victory in F1. It was also a message to the contending drivers of Formula 1. Verstappen went on to dominate each one of them in the years to come with Red Bull Racing. Let’s have a quick recap of the magic which unfolded at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya in 2016 that day.

As it Happened- Max Verstappen’s First Win in Formula 1

Red Bull Racing gave young Max Verstappen a promotion in order to retain him for future. His pairing with Daniel Ricciardo was hailed as the greatest driver pair of Formula 1 to come. The championship of 2016 was not a story of Red Bull Racing. It was the year of fierce racing between Mercedes teammates- Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

As expected, the qualifying performance put the Silver Arrows on the front row. However, as soon as the race started the duo collided and ended each other’s race in Turn 4. This gave Max Verstappen the chance to move up into podium place. Verstappen was soon fighting Kimi Raikkonen for the lead of the race. The Dutchman eventually got past Raikkonen with a better tyre strategy. He hung on to his lead and won the Spanish GP.

It started with Mercedes misery 💥💥
It ended with Max's "unbelievable" maiden win 🏆👦

The 2016 Spanish Grand Prix was intense! #F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/JT2ZFbQ1QN
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 29, 2025

Max Verstappen’s victory in Spanish GP 2016 made him the youngest winner of Formula 1. He has been holding to his record as of 2025. The drivers on podium went on to congratulate the newest F1 winner. Sky F1 commentator called Max Verstappen a future world champion praising his race. His predictions would come true in 2021 after Max won the world championship from Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.

Barcelona-Catalunya

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing

Spanish Grand Prix

Rohan Singh

nhl

I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.