Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull extended his lead in the Formula One World Championship with a victory this Sunday at the Canadian Grand Prix. The race featured a fast lap and a display of skill under pressure, especially in the final laps as Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Ferrari pushed hard to challenge for the win.
Verstappen, aged 24, secured his sixth win of the season on the track at Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, ahead of Sainz who claimed his eleventh podium finish in F1. Seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, finished third after a battle with Fernando Alonso from Alpine, who finished ninth following a five-second penalty that shuffled several positions. Mexican Sergio Pérez, a title rival and Verstappen’s closest pursuer in the standings, finished the race in second place on the day but remained in second overall in the championship standings, with Leclerc a few spots behind.
During the weekend, Verstappen earned a pole position, endured a rain-affected qualifying, and then navigated a race that featured a virtual safety car and a traditional safety car. A weaving penalty for another driver kept Verstappen in the lead as the finish approached, while Sainz had caused early trouble for the Dutch youngster in qualifying, making the Canadian race a test of resilience in changing conditions. Verstappen ultimately celebrated his twenty-sixth career victory in Formula One’s Canadian chapter.
With this result Verstappen now leads the World Championship with 175 points, 46 ahead of Pérez and 49 ahead of Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. Leclerc, who started nineteenth, finished fifth after a comeback effort that saw Mercedes drivers George Russell and Hamilton push through the field. Alonso remained in the fight, advancing several places and finishing behind Leclerc, while Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou completed the top ten in a race that mixed strategy and speed on a damp-to-dry Montreal circuit.
Sainz torments Verstappen and comes close to his first F1 win in Canada
Verstappen began in Montreal after impressive rainy qualifying runs and Alonso returned to the front lines of an F1 race after a decade away. Sainz started from second and Hamilton joined him on the front row, with Magnussen and Schumacher also showing strong pace as the race unfolded on a track that shifted from wet to drying conditions. The field shuffled accordingly as teams balanced tire choices and pit strategy during a race marked by tyre management and on-track battles.
Verstappen faced early pressure from Sainz and Hamilton as the race progressed. Checo Pérez faced an issue in Q2 that left him starting thirteenth, while Leclerc encountered penalties for power unit changes. The field navigated a race where changing weather and intermediate-to-dry conditions demanded quick decisions. The Canadian Grand Prix proved a true test of driver skill and team strategy on a demanding circuit.
Verstappen built a clear advantage in the middle stages and controlled the pace as Sainz pressed to close the gap. The Spaniard pushed hard, chasing the championship leader, but Verstappen held firm through the final laps. The result reinforced Verstappen’s position at the top of the standings and underscored Sainz’s capability to challenge at the sharp end of the grid on demanding days in Canada.
The race also featured a tense moment when safety-car interventions allowed Sainz to apply pressure as the field shuffled behind the leaders. The outcome highlighted Sainz’s speed and determination, even as Verstappen maintained control to record another step toward the title. The Canada weekend confirmed Verstappen as a dominant force this season and reinforced the ongoing rivalry with Sainz and the wider F1 pack.
As the season moves toward Europe, Verstappen will head to Silverstone for the next Grand Prix, with a schedule that includes races at Spielberg, Le Castellet, and the Hungaroring before the midsummer break. The Canadian win adds to a season that has already seen multiple title challenges, with Verstappen continuing to set the pace for his rivals.
Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in photos
Sir Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging race but managed another podium finish, while Sainz delivered a display that hinted at a breakthrough victory in the near future. The show at Montreal showcased the skill, speed, and strategic depth that define modern Formula One racing.
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