Formula 1

Canadian GP: Verstappen equals Senna with lights-to-flag win

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Max Verstappen led every lap to claim a landmark victory for himself and Red Bull at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The world champion delivered a controlled performance to keep Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton at bay in a highly competitive race in Montreal.

The former McLaren teammates went head-to-head for the full 70 laps, with the Spaniard securing his first P2 of the season ahead of Hamilton.

Race Review

Verstappen held the lead from pole into Turn 1 as Lewis Hamilton got the jump on Fernando Alonso up to second in the Mercedes.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W14 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202306180819 // Usage for editorial use only //

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz battled hard on the opening lap with the Ferrari getting ahead into the final chicane as they battled just outside the top 10.

The field remained close at the front in the early laps with Max only gradually pulling away from Hamilton, while Alonso stayed within DRS range in third.

A reliability issue for Logan Sargeant caused a brief Virtual Safety Car period but had no impact on the running order.

After an impressive qualifying, Nico Hulkenberg would lead a long DRS train in the midfield, limiting the progress of Perez and the two Ferraris.

Ahead, George Russell would hit the wall at Turn 9 after taking too much kerb, triggering a Safety Car to clear the debris.

Miraculously, his Mercedes was able to continue albeit with significant floor damage.

The leaders took the opportunity to pit for fresh tyres, with Hamilton and Alonso having a close call as the Briton exited his box.

Leclerc, Sainz and Perez opted to stay out and ran fourth to sixth when the race resumed as Verstappen continued to lead.

Alonso continued the pressure on Hamilton for P2 and got ahead of his former teammate into the final chicane via DRS.

The midfield DRS train continued headed by Kevin Magnussen, who was another driver to stay out under the Safety Car.

Alex Albon was able to break free of the Haas, but the Dane's pace allowed Valtteri Bottas and the two McLarens to pull ahead in P8-P10.

Yuki Tsunoda was next to take on Magnussen with the pair banging wheels through Turns 1 and 2 before both went off at Turn 3.

Ferrari's usual weakness with tyre wear was nowhere to be found as Leclerc and Sainz matched the pace of those around them on old mediums.

In contrast, others were making their second stops before the halfway point.

An undercut bid from a subdued Perez finally caused the red cars to pit but all three were able to resume in fourth to six.

The top three also made their second stops with Alonso being the odd one out on hard tyres compared to Verstappen and Hamilton on mediums.

After the stops, Hamilton and Alonso resumed their battle and also kept the pressure on Max ahead.

Verstappen was able to respond, eking out a few tenths per lap on Fernando, but the Mercedes was the faster car entering the last 15 laps.

Alonso though soon revealed his hand, improving his pace to pull clear of Hamilton to secure second.

Ahead, however, Verstappen had a late scare, almost repeating Russell's earlier error at Turn 9, but went on to take his 41st win in F1 to equal Ayrton Senna.

The Dutchman also gave Red Bull their 100th win in F1, 14 years after their first at the 2009 Chinese GP.

Alonso followed 10 seconds behind in P2, the closest any non-Red Bull driver has finished to Verstappen this season outside the Safety Car finish in Australia.

Hamilton was third, ahead of the two Ferraris who quietly had a very strong race in fourth and fifth as Leclerc led Sainz.

Perez claimed sixth plus the point for the fastest lap. Albon gave Williams their second points finish of the year in seventh, leading Esteban Ocon in eighth.

Lando Norris was ninth but a five-second penalty dropped him outside the points in 13th. Lance Stroll overtook Bottas on the finish line to claim ninth as the Alfa finished 10th.

Oscar Piastri finished 11th, ahead of Pierre Gasly and the demoted Norris. Tsunoda was 14th followed by Hulkenberg. Zhou, Magnussen and De Vries completed the finishers.

Russell eventually had to retire due to damage from his earlier accident, joining Sargeant who stopped in the early laps.

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