Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched his third consecutive victory at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday, mastering a highly unpredictable race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Starting from second on the grid, Verstappen adeptly managed the fluctuating weather conditions, securing his sixth win in nine races this season.
In his post-race interview, the 26-year-old three-time world champion highlighted the collaborative effort of his team. “It was a very good team effort today,” Verstappen stated. “We made the right calls and stayed calm during hectic moments. Although we weren’t always the fastest, we were there when it counted, and I’m very pleased with that.”
Lando Norris of McLaren, who was a strong contender for the victory, finished in second place, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell in third. Russell had initially led the race from pole position, navigating through a slippery track due to rain. However, as the track dried, Norris seized the opportunity to overtake both Verstappen and Russell, briefly taking the lead.
The race’s dynamics continued to evolve with further pit stops, the deployment of safety cars, and additional rainfall, which eventually allowed Verstappen to regain the lead and achieve the 60th win of his career, extending his lead in the driver’s championship by 56 points.
Reflecting on the race, Norris expressed disappointment over missed opportunities, attributing them to McLaren’s delayed decisions during crucial moments, particularly around the first safety car intervention. “We should have won today, simple as that,” Norris said, lamenting the strategic errors. “We didn’t box when we should have and got stuck behind the safety car, which cost us.”
The Formula 1 season is set to continue at the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23, where Verstappen aims to further solidify his lead in the championship.
