Spanish driver Fernando Alonso from Alpine finished seventh at the Canadian Grand Prix, held this Sunday on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Observers noted that his team could have challenged for the podium if luck had favored them more, a sentiment Alonso echoed after the race.
Alonso, a double world champion and seven-time Formula One winner, spoke about the pace of his car and the potential to compete with the leaders. He pointed out that Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes secured a podium position, while Alonso and his team were in a position to challenge him with a more stable race. The Canadian victory marked another milestone at a circuit where Alonso previously won in 2006 while winning the world title with Renault, a season still remembered for its dominance on this track.
From the early laps, Alonso reported a power system issue that affected the engine and the KERS energy recovery system. This problem appeared to reduce performance on the straights, costing about eight tenths of a second per lap according to Alonso during a post race interview with a Montreal broadcaster. The challenge forced the driver to adapt and manage the pace as the car tried to stay within reach of the battle behind him.
To stay in touch with the DRS trains led by Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc, Alonso recounted that he had to push hard into the corners while maintaining fuel and tire management. He acknowledged that the team had to celebrate a credible seventh place by keeping Bottas behind in the final stages, despite the day’s hurdles. The Spaniard also mentioned facing scrutiny after a prior incident with Bottas that prompted a review by the race stewards, an outcome that did not change his final standing but added pressure to the effort.
Alonso also noted the difficulties posed by the virtual safety car, which appeared at moments that complicated the pit strategy. He described the timing as awkward, with the finish line crossing during the period when a pit stop would usually be prepared. He concluded that the sequence affected his ability to gain ground, even after starting second in a wet qualifying session the previous day.
Despite the adversity, Alonso closed with a candid assessment of the day. He said luck did not favor his car, and the engine issue weighed on his performance, a sentiment he repeated after finishing seventh in Montreal.
Verstappen seals victory and extends lead
Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull reinforced his lead in the Formula One World Championship by winning the Canadian Grand Prix this Sunday. Carlos Sainz faced intense pressure in the closing laps as he tried to defend his position against rivals, a battle that highlighted the relentlessness of the race at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal. Verstappen achieved his sixth win of the season and his twenty sixth career victory in Formula One, a performance that solidified his dominance in 2025 and kept him well ahead in the standings.
Verstappen, who had benefited from pace and reliability, spoke about the thrill of the final laps. He noted that the level of competition demanded every ounce of effort, especially as the Red Bulls maintained strong performance on the straights. The Dutch driver also highlighted the importance of the safety car and pit strategy in shaping the race outcome, acknowledging that while it presented opportunities, it also required bold decisions rather than purely defensive moves. In Montreal, the reigning world champion extended his lead in the championship standings, with 175 points to date, a margin designed to deter rivals from challenging his position too aggressively.
Commenting on the overall pace of the race, Verstappen insisted that the team pushed relentlessly from start to finish. He highlighted the speed of the Red Bulls through the corners and on the straightaways as a critical factor in their success. The driver emphasized that the race required both aggressive attacking moments and controlled, smooth execution, and the team delivered on both fronts this Sunday in Canada. He also praised his teammate and rival circle for delivering a demanding challenge that kept the race engaging from the start to the checkered flag.
The Canadian Grand Prix once again demonstrated the unique blend of strategy, skill, and speed that defines Formula One. It tested the drivers’ ability to balance aggression with preservation, and the teams’ capacity to adapt to evolving track conditions and safety car dynamics. As Montreal celebrated a dramatic race, fans watched a showcase of relentless pursuit and high-stakes competition that underscored why the season remains so compelling for the world of Formula One in 2025. Observers will be looking ahead to the next event to see whether Alonso can overcome the setbacks and whether Verstappen can continue to widen his lead in the championship race, setting the tone for a season that promises more drama and intensity for fans across North America.