09 June 2024 , 19:49
860
0
Max Verstappen mastered the ever-changing conditions to win a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix that was at times more akin to a chess match than a Formula 1 race.
And Lewis Hamilton also shone - but was denied a long-overdue first podium finish of the season by team-mate George Russell. Wet weather in Montreal meant it was all about who would win the strategy battle - and who could keep their car out of the wall.
Red Bull came out on top to guide Verstappen home in first place as Brits Russell and Lando Norris were left to squabble behind. All three led at various stages as they tried to get to grips with a track which dried fast when the sun was out, but which kept being doused with rain.
That was the story of the first two-thirds of the race. Pole-sitter Russell led for 20 laps and looked comfortable, until he made a mistake while defending from Norris and had to cut the final chicane.
And because he was moving so much more slowly when he rejoined the track, Verstappen swept past him and the Mercedes driver had gone from first to third within the space of a few seconds. Norris' luck seemed to be in, but it disappeared after Logan Sargeant crashed out.
Inside the driver call which upset Red Bull and changed the course of F1 history
When the safety car hit the track, Norris was already past the pit lane and could not stop while all those behind him did. By the time he did a full lap, stopped and came back out, he was third again. Verstappen took the restart from the lead with Russell and Norris behind him, all on fresh intermediate tyres as more drops of rain began to fall.
Hamilton and Oscar Piastri joined the fight as the downpour stopped and the track swiftly dried up under the Canadian sun. Another safety car with 15 laps to go bunched the pack up and created a short sprint to the end of the race, with no further threat of rain to contend with.
The lion's share of the Montreal race was run in wet conditions (Getty Images)Russell and Hamilton had fresh slick tyres and got the better of Piastri, the younger Brit winning a late duel to finish third. Not enough to stop Verstappen, though, who again was made to fight hard for the victory ahead of Norris.
F1 fans were also winners as again they saw a closely-fought race and more evidence that Red Bull are no longer in a class of their own. And Mercedes will also be buoyed by their best result of the season with both cars in the top four after Russell secured pole position the day before.
In contrast, it was a day to forget for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc retired after being plagued by engine issues, while Carlos Sainz crashed out. As did Sergio Perez, who suffered a wretched weekend after signing his new Red Bull contract.