F1 LIVE | The 2023 Spanish Grand Prix

4 June 2023 at 13:00

Last update 4 June 2023 at 13:34

Toby McLuskie

Max Verstappen starts the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix from pole position. Competitors Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez start further back on the grid. Carlos Sainz starts alongside Verstappen on the front row of the grid. You can follow the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon in GPblog's liveblog!

Liveblog 2023 Spanish Grand Prix

Verstappen and Sainz on front row of the grid

Charles Leclerc failed to escape from Q1 and will start from the back. The Monegasque's poor laps in qualifying ensured this starting spot for the Ferrari driver. Verstappen's teammate is also out of position because he failed to reach Q3.

Many drivers already touched on it: tyre degradation. That is going to be a major factor of the race on Sunday afternoon. Spaniard Alonso must try to drive from eighth place to the front to defend his third place in the world championship. Whether this is in jeopardy remains to be seen as Lewis Hamilton is not expected to suddenly win the Grand Prix, but the Mercedes' strong race pace might push him further up the order.