Verstappen Survives Montreal Mayhem
In a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen emerged victorious despite facing multiple challenges throughout the race. With 20 laps to go, Verstappen’s victory seemed uncertain as he struggled with the curbs and his lead was threatened by Lando Norris and George Russell. However, fate favored Verstappen as a second safety car period bunched up the field, allowing him to drive off into the sunset and secure the win. Verstappen’s resilience and skill were on full display, proving that winning the championship this season won’t be easy for anyone. Verstappen’s 60th career F1 win sends a clear message to his rivals and keeps Red Bull on their toes.
Norris’s Unlucky Safety Car Moment
Lando Norris had a roller coaster race in Montreal, experiencing both the thrill of leading and the disappointment of losing the Canadian GP. Norris took an early lead in the race but lost it during a safety car period when he made a pit stop, allowing Verstappen to take the lead. Norris felt that the team made a mistake by not pitting during the safety car period, which cost him the chance to fight for the win. Despite his frustration, Norris acknowledged that the team’s decision to stay out longer on intermediate tires gave him a chance to challenge George Russell. In the end, Norris fell short of victory but showed that McLaren is no longer satisfied with second place.
Missed Opportunities for Mercedes
Mercedes had a promising weekend in Montreal, with George Russell securing pole position and both cars showing competitive pace. However, the race proved to be tricky for Mercedes as Russell made crucial mistakes at key moments, costing him a shot at fighting for victory. One notable mistake occurred on Lap 51 when Russell went off track, allowing Norris to overtake him. Mercedes also made a strategic decision to pit both Russell and Lewis Hamilton during a safety car period, sacrificing a position for Russell. Despite their pace, both drivers felt that they made mistakes throughout the race, leaving them with a bittersweet feeling. Mercedes will need to learn from these missed opportunities and keep pushing for better results.
A Weekend to Forget for Ferrari
Ferrari had a disappointing weekend in Montreal, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz retiring from the race. Leclerc faced power unit issues right from the start, costing him a chance at a strong result. Sainz’s race ended prematurely after a collision with Alex Albon. The double DNF for Ferrari was a blow to their hopes of challenging Red Bull in the constructors’ championship. Despite the poor result, Leclerc remained optimistic, acknowledging that bad weekends happen in racing and that they shouldn’t overreact. Ferrari will need to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming races to stay in contention.
Alpine’s Double Points Finish
Alpine had a positive weekend in Montreal, achieving its first double points finish since last season. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon started outside the top 10 but made a bold call to switch to dry tires during a safety car period, which paid off. Gasly’s overtaking skills and fast laps helped him climb up the field, while Ocon suffered from a suspected power unit issue. Despite the late call for Ocon to let Gasly pass, Alpine managed to secure the final two top-10 spots and leapfrog Williams in the constructors’ championship. This double points finish provided a much-needed boost for Alpine after the collision between Gasly and Ocon in Monaco.
Other Notable Moments
Several other notable moments occurred during the Canadian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen narrowly avoided hitting a groundhog on the track, showcasing his quick reflexes. Sergio Pérez had a challenging qualifying session and retired from the race after losing control of his car and damaging his rear wing. Daniel Ricciardo received a five-second penalty for a false start but managed to salvage points for Red Bull. Williams had a disappointing weekend, with Logan Sargeant spinning out and retiring early, and Alex Albon becoming a victim of a crash. Overall, the race had its fair share of drama and near-misses, making it an exciting and eventful event.