Max Verstappen Triumphs in Chaotic Canadian Grand Prix, Secures Championship Lead

Montreal, June 9, 2024 — Max Verstappen relieved mounting pressure yesterday with a commanding performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, clinching his third straight victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The win cements his dominance in the early stages of the Formula 1 season, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship.

After facing defeats in two of the last three races, the three-time champion showcased his resilience and strategic prowess. Verstappen, aided by his team’s astute tactical decisions, navigated a race fraught with challenges to finish 3.879 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Mercedes’ George Russell, who had started from pole, secured third place, outpacing his seven-time champion teammate Lewis Hamilton, who expressed frustration despite finishing fourth.

Starting from second on the grid, Verstappen’s path to victory was anything but straightforward. The race’s drama was amplified by two Safety Car interventions, but Verstappen remained composed, ultimately securing his 60th career win.

“That was a pretty crazy race and a lot of things were happening,” Verstappen reflected. “We had to keep on top of our calls and as a team we did really well today. We remained calm and we pitted at the right time.”

The race was particularly disappointing for Ferrari, as both cars failed to finish. This setback came just two weeks after Charles Leclerc’s emotional win in Monaco. Verstappen’s triumph has now widened his lead over Leclerc to 56 points in the championship standings.

“The safety cars worked out nicely for us this time,” Verstappen added, recalling how a similar scenario at the Miami Grand Prix had cost him, giving Norris his maiden win. “But even after that, we were managing the gaps quite well. I loved it. It was a lot of fun. These kinds of races you need to have once in a while. The most important thing is that we won. The suspension problem is not particularly an issue. We know what it is, so we just need to work on it. We still have room to improve.”

Hamilton, critical of his own performance, was overtaken by Russell in the final laps but finished ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Aston Martin’s two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who took fifth and sixth places respectively.

Local favorite Lance Stroll finished seventh in the second Aston Martin, followed by Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

Norris, reflecting on his race, said, “It was wild. It was chaotic. It was eventful. To be honest, I felt like I drove a good race, the whole time, from start to finish. These conditions are so stressful inside the car, but very enjoyable at the same time.”

George Russell, despite his podium finish, described his race as a missed opportunity. “That was an ugly race on my behalf and I am sorry for that. It feels like a big missed opportunity to be honest. We had a fast car this weekend.”

In front of an enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed a mix of showers and sunshine, five cars — including both Ferraris, both Williams, and Sergio Perez’s Red Bull — failed to finish. The ever-changing conditions and positions kept fans on the edge of their seats.

With this victory, Verstappen now leads the drivers’ championship with 194 points, ahead of Leclerc’s 138 and Norris’s 131. In the constructors’ standings, Red Bull has amassed 301 points, pulling ahead of Ferrari’s 252 in what has been a challenging season for the team.