Max Verstappen leads Red Bull 1-2 at dramatic Spanish Grand Prix and overtakes Charles Leclerc in F1 title chase

This is what the fans paid to go to the Spanish Grand Prix 1:11

(CNN) --

Max Verstappen took advantage of Charles Leclerc's retirement from the race to move to the top of the Formula 1 drivers' standings, after the Dutchman's third consecutive victory lifted Red Bull to a dream 1-2 in the Spanish Grand Prix.

As temperatures reached 36ºC (97ºF) on a scorching afternoon at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, reigning world champion Verstappen turned up the pressure in the title chase to overtake Leclerc and move six points clear of the Ferrari driver. .

Ordered to let his Red Bull teammate through with 15 laps to go, Mexico's Sergio "Checo" Pérez complied, allowing Vertsappen to triumph once again after successive victories at Imola and the first Grand Prix of Miami.

The checkered flag receives Verstappen.

Mercedes' George Russell finished third to complete the podium.

The Englishman continues his excellent personal season despite the difficulties of his team.

As well as Red Bull taking their second 1-2 in three races, Perez also secured an extra point for fastest lap to put the icing on the cake after a nearly perfect afternoon in Barcelona for the team.

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With Leclerc in the race and Verstappen complaining of DRS (drag reduction system) problems over the team radio, that dream ending initially seemed a long way off.

"That made it very difficult," Verstappen admitted to Sky Sports of his DRS problems.

"But we managed to get ahead again and make our own race, and finally win... It was a tough start, but a good finish."

"I tried to stay focused, of course it's not nice when things like that happen, but I'm very happy to win and very happy for Checo (Perez). It was a great result for the team."

Verstappen celebrates his third victory in a row.

"It's a shame"

Verstappen's 24th F1 win took the Dutchman to 110 points in the drivers' standings heading into this month's Monaco Grand Prix, where Leclerc will be desperate to make amends at his home race.

After putting in a spectacular final qualifying lap to start on pole, the Ferrari driver looked set to take his third win of the season until he suffered a loss of power on lap 27, forcing the 24-year-old to withdraw from a race for the first time this season.

Leclerc in the pit lane after his car broke down.

"It's a shame. In those moments I feel like there's nothing else I can do other than look at the positives and there are a lot of them this weekend," Leclerc said.

"We will look at this issue and we can't afford this to happen too many times in the season, so we have to find the problem."

Ferrari's problems were slightly offset when Carlos Sainz, acclaimed by the Spanish public, snatched fourth position from Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc failed to finish a race for the first time this season.

Hamilton and Russell, protagonists

Although unable to extend his run of five consecutive Spanish Grand Prix wins, Hamilton impressed with a sensational recovery drive after a first lap collision with Haas' Kevin Magnusson left the Briton with a problem to solve.

However, after a tire change, the seven-time world champion flew across the track to claim fourth position;

Sainz's late recovery was a disappointing end to an excellent day for Mercedes.

Russell's second podium finish of the season saw the 24-year-old Briton extend his run of finishing fifth or higher in the first five races of the campaign.

Russell continued to excel in his first season with Mercedes, but despite impressive wheel-to-wheel defense he was unable to hold off Red Bull's charge.

"Today was very tough. I gave everything I could do to contain Max (Verstappen), but he did an amazing job," Russell said.

"I'm proud to be here... It did a lot of damage to us, but when I had the Red Bulls in my mirrors all I did was everything to keep them behind."

"That's a lot of points on the table. Well done Max."

Max Verstappen Red Bull Sergio "Checo" Pérez