Dylan Bettencourt
Max Verstappen held out against a late push from Carlos Sainz to win the Canadian Grand Prix.
The battle between Red Bull and Ferrari continued in Montreal with the Italian side needing to bounce back after both cars failed to finish in Azerbaijan in the last Grand Prix.
But Red Bull went into Sunday’s race with the advantage. Verstappen was on pole and Charles Leclerc was starting in 19th, as he took a grid penalty for installing a new power unit.
However, Ferrari would have felt the luck was on their side when Sergio Perez of Red Bull had to retire his car after he lost power.
Ferrari were in for more luck, when a late safety car allowed Sainz to pit for new tyres behind Verstappen with just over 10 laps to go.
But it was not meant to be, as Verstappen showed why he is the current champion, holding out with older tyres against the push of Sainz.
This victory was Red Bull’s sixth consecutive win as they continue to run away from the rest of the pack.
It was also the first time Verstappen has won the Grand Prix in Canada.
Mercedes will leave Canada with smiles on their faces after their drivers finished fourth and fifth.
Lewis Hamilton earned his second podium this season, after finishing third behind Sainz and one ahead of his teammate Geroge Russel.
Leclerc impressed, coming from 19th to finish the race in fifth spot.
The French Alpine team were impressive all weekend, as Fernando Alonso’s second place qualifying result showed on Saturday.
Esteban Ocon finished sixth with Alonso crossing the finish line in seventh.
Formula 1 will now take a week off before returning in the first weekend of July with the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit.
