DHL Fastest Lap Award: 2016 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA PIRELLI

Formula 1 fans around the world watched with delight as a terrific race with exciting battles unfolded before them and produced a sensational winner of the 2016 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA PIRELLI. But while Max Verstappen was able to fulfill his dream and take his maiden grand prix win in his first race for Red Bull Racing, his predecessor in the team also managed to pull off a rather impressive feat. In his first race back at the Scuderia Toro Rosso, Daniil Kvyat went out and posted the fastest lap of the race.

The Russian proved that he has talent exactly one month ago before F1's return to kick off the European season in Spain by finishing in third place on the podium in China. His handling of the car is one of the best around, and his speed is undisputed. He proved that in fine style as he kept pace with Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo over the final laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. On Lap 53 of 66, with an average speed of 192.735 km/h, Kvyat then posted a 1:26.948 - the fastest lap of the race - a full second quicker than Vettel's which was the second fastest.

"It was a good race for us today," said Daniil Kvyat. "We had to give back two positions at the restart of the race, so we lost a bit of time there. But apart from that, the pace was strong and we were competitive. It's positive to be back and to finish in the points straightaway. The car felt good and it didn't take me a lot of time to get used to it. The second half of the race was fun, following the leaders without interrupting their fight, and I was able to overtake Gutierrez and get back into the points."

And so, the battle for the 2016 DHL Fastest Lap Award is hotting up. After five races, only one driver has posted the fastest lap twice: Nico Rosberg in Bahrain and Russia. Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hülkenberg and Daniil Kvyat are right behind him with one fastest lap each. 

The 22 drivers will get their next chance to set the fastest lap on the streets of the Principality of Monaco (26th-29th May) at the highlight of the season. However, the route to the 2016 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO will actually pose a challenge as it does every year. 

You see, for the second European race of the season, teams have to move their equipment, the cars and motor homes from Barcelona to Monaco which is over 400 miles to the east. Team logistics technicians do not have much time to accomplish the task, as the race weekend in the Principality traditionally begins on Thursday, one day earlier than usual. 

Fastest race laps: 2016 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA PIRELLI

01 Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1:26.948 - on Lap 53    
02 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:27.974 - on Lap 39    
03 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1:28.209 - on Lap 46    
04 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 1:28.538 - on Lap 38    
05 Kevin Magnussen (Renault) 1:28.716 - on Lap 57    
06 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:28.816 - on Lap 36    
07 Romain Grosjean (Haas) 1:28.974 - on Lap 41    
08 Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:29.081 - on Lap 60    
09 Felipe Massa (Williams) 1:29.238 - on Lap 43    
10 Rio Haryanto (Manor) 1:29.402 - on Lap 52