Lewis Hamilton dominated from start to finish to claim a fourth successive Spanish Grand Prix victory in a blistering Barcelona and extend his lead atop of the 2020 Formula One drivers' standings.
The six-time world champion started on pole for the 92nd time in his career after dominating all three practice sessions, and got off to another fast race start as he maintained his lead following a crucial first corner ahead of Max Verstappen, who finished second, with Valtteri Bottas in third.
Hamilton initially entered an intriguing tactical battle with 70th Anniversary Grand Prix winner Verstappen, with the Dutchman complaining that his rival was driving "super slow" in an attempt to keep his tyres cool on a sizzling 48-degree surface.
Verstappen soon became increasingly frustrated as the gap between himself and Hamilton began to steadily rise, furiously demanding to pit almost 10 seconds behind.
The rivals both swiftly switched to a medium set of tyres, with Verstappen enjoying a significantly faster stop. Hamilton, coming in slightly after the 22-year-old, emerged back out in front, where he maintained his lead until the finish line.
As for team-mate Bottas, however, his race was not quite as straightforward. The Finn started in second, but lost two places before the opening corner, with Verstappen and Lance Stroll both overtaking.
Bottas managed to recover and continued to battle against Verstappen for a Mercedes one-two, but in the end he had to settle for just a fastest lap, with the Dutchman finishing in second.
After receiving a five-second time penalty for ignoring blue flags, Sergio Perez of Racing Point - who pitted just once - finished in fifth, with team-mate Stroll given fourth place. McLaren's Carlos Sainz took sixth.
Sebastian Vettel, who started in a disappointing 11th place, finished a respectable seventh for Ferrari after an impressive drive, with Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris completing the top 10.
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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc started ninth on the grid, and was on for a points finish after 37 laps before his engine cut out. He pitted shortly after and then retired from the race.
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Formation lap
The cars are heading off around the 4.65km circuit to get those tyres warm and a feel for the conditions ahead of the race start.
FIVE MINUTES TO LIGHTS OUT
It's nearly time for the race!
Max Verstappen clinched Red Bull's first victory of the 2020 Formula One season last time out at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.
However, in a familiar picture, we have the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Botas out at the front today.
Hamilton starts on pole, the 92nd of his career. Can he convert that to a fourth straight victory at the Spanish Grand Prix?
The pre-race traditions are underway as a tribute is paid to NHS and key workers for their work during the pandemic.
We've also heard the national anthem while the drivers sent out their anti-racism message.
Photo: Getty
Lewis Hamilton, speaking to Sky Sports
"It is pretty hot, even just standing here. We have more clouds than yesterday but I don't think it will make a difference.
"Today is going to be so tough. The Red Bulls were quicker than us in practice on long runs. I love that we have that challenge and I am excited.
"Turn One it is generally over from then on. It is long way down so it is going to be a serious challenge. I hope this is a day we get a good start."
Russell unbeaten
GettyGeorge Russell continued his unbeaten qualifying streak over his team-mate by finishing 18th, one place above Nicholas Latifi in the other Williams.
How they qualified
1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1min 15.584secs
2 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:15.643
3 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.292
4 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:16.482
5 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:16.589
6 Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:17.029
7 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:17.044
8 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:17.084
9 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:17.087
10 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:17.136
11 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:17.168
12 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:17.192
13 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:17.198
14 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:17.386
15 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:17.567
16 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:17.908
17 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:18.089
18 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:18.099
19 Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:18.532
20 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:18.697
Vettel starting 11th
Sebastian Vettel, who has scored just 10 points compared to team mate Charles Leclerc's 45, is 13th overall and has only once started higher than 10th this year.
GettyHe is leaving Ferrari, after they decided not to renew his contract, at the end of the year with McLaren's Carlos Sainz coming in to replace him.
Ferrari replaced his chassis for Spain after detecting damage following last Sunday's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, but it appeared to have made little difference.
"It's up and down, to be honest," he said when asked whether the car had improved.
"There are still some things that I can't really put an answer to. But I'm trying to do everything I can and ignore all the things that might not be right and do the best that I can. That's all I can do at the moment."
Hamilton ready for tough Max battle
Lewis Hamilton expects another tough battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen despite securing pole position on an all-Mercedes front row at the Spanish Grand Prix.
GettyVerstappen is now the six-times world champion's closest rival, the Dutchman 30 points behind after winning last weekend's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone and finishing second in the two races before that.
The 22-year-old will line up third on the grid, one slot higher than he had last Sunday when he came through to win with clever tyre strategy while Mercedes suffered from blistering in the hot conditions.
"[It] is going to be tough when we get to the race," Hamilton told reporters in a video conference at the Circuit de Catalunya outside Barcelona.
"Over a single lap we seem to have the edge over the Red Bulls but this weekend we seem to be pretty much on par on race pace, so it's going to be a tough battle with Max."
Qualifying results: Spanish Grand Prix
A reminder of how the front of the grid looks...
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Valtteri Bottas
3. Max Verstappen
4. Sergio Perez
5. Lance Stroll
6. Alex Albon
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton aims to respond following Max Verstappen's impressive victory at Silverstone last weekend.