Canada GP: Max wins, Carlos P2

Despite a late race scare after a safety car, Max Verstappen comfortably manages to win the GP in Canada. Carlos tried everything but couldn’t get past Verstappen. Mercedes had a great race with Hamilton finishing on the podium for the first time since Bahrain.

Cool Verstappen in Canada

The weather Gods were kind on Sunday, unlike the Quali session with all the rains. Max Verstappen starting from Pole had a very good start and looked comfortable in the lead for most of the race. Red Bull strategy was pretty much on point for most of the race. However a safety car brought in by Tsunoda crashing helped Carlos get a fresh set of rubber and looked all set to overtake Verstappen. But Carlos that slight extra pace despite being in the DRS range of Verstappen all the time. Max now has a comfortable lead of 46 points over second place Sergio Perez.

Sergio Perez had a day to forget. He crashed in the Quali session and was starting P14. Things went further downhill as Checo had to retire due to gearbox issues on lap 8.

Decent showing for Ferrari

The Maranello team would be somewhat satisfied with the team’s showing on Sunday. Carlos Sainz had the race pace to be the fastest on the grid and Ferrari would be happy to see. Still he could not overtake Verstappen and achieve the first race win of his career.

Mixed feelings for Charles LeClerc too. He started from the back thanks to all the penalties he received for replacing engine parts. Charles started well and climbed up places soon but then got stuck behind Ocon and was just not able to overtake him. Ferrari changed his strategy to get him on Mediums to finally overtake a few cars but still ended up on P5, unable to overtake the two Mercedes ahead.

A good weekend for Mercedes

Mercedes had a good Sunday especially after a very tricky Friday and George’s gamble to go on slicks under wet conditions failed. Russell managed to climbed up the places swiftly and was behind the top 3 cars. Hamilton had excelled pace too and looked very happy with the podium finish. Mercedes are not out of the woods yet but they would sure be excited with the progress made.

Not a day for Alonso

Everyone was super-hyped after Alonso parked his car on the front row of the grid. Alonso is known for having great starts and many anticipated Alonso getting ahead of Max Verstappen on turn 1 at the start. He then failed to benefit from the VSC and series of unfortunate incidences meant that he finished P9. Ocon had a much better running as he finished P6.

It was a day to forget for the HAAS team. Both the cars qualified brilliantly but then Kevin Magnussen broke his front wing and was asked to change it by the stewards. The Mick Schumacher who was very much in the hunt for the elusive first career points had mechanical issues and had to retire.

But the good day for Alfa Romeo with both the cars finishing in points and rookie Zhou being ahead of Bottas. McLaren were not upto the mark the entire weekend. They really need to pull up their socks if they want to stay in the hunt for P4 in constructors.

Canada GP Top 10 with Verstappen the winner