LEWIS HAMILTON toasted his first podium of the season as Max Verstappen once again showed everyone what was right.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton finished third as Red Bull’s Verstappen took first place from Lando Norris, who started from pole position.

Hamilton’s last podium came back in October 2023 when he finished in second place in Mexico City.

That was a week after he was disqualified from the US Grand Prix, where he also finished second due to an illegal car.

He said: “It’s a surprise to come here and get these points. Keep trying, we’re almost there.”

Dutchman Verstappen has now won three of the last four races to give a two-fingered salute to any shouts that his team is in crisis.

There was no disturbance from George Russell in a dramatic start, who rocketed to first from fourth, dropping Norris to third while Verstappen remained in second.

Verstappen might as well have said “hold my beer” because he had seen enough and reclaimed first place on lap three.

You could practically hear the groans echoing around the Barcelona circuit as any sign of a shift from Verstappen’s dominance was short-lived.

But Hamilton dived down the inside of Sainz on lap 19 as the pair almost touched, angering the Spaniard.

Norris fought back strongly and the comeback took place as he overtook Sainz for fourth before closing in on Hamilton and passing him for third place on lap 32.

The McLaren driver battled back and forth with Russell for second place on lap 35 before taking the lead.

Norris was passing Verstappen but a slow pit stop left him eight seconds behind Verstappen with 20 laps remaining.

Hamilton cut the family ties by dancing around the outside of his Mercedes teammate Russell to take third place on lap 52.