Max Verstappen wins Canadian Grand Prix and gives Red Bull 100th victory | Racing News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his lead in the Formula One championship and marking a significant milestone for Red Bull with their 100th triumph.
The 25-year-old Dutch driver led the race from start to finish, adding to his impressive career record of 41 wins and joining the esteemed company of Brazil’s legendary triple champion, Ayrton Senna.
Fernando Alonso claimed second place for Aston Martin, achieving his sixth podium finish in eight races at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Meanwhile, Britain’s seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, secured third place for Mercedes.

The Ferraris followed closely behind, with Charles Leclerc finishing in fourth position and Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Red Bull has been dominant this season, winning every race thus far. Verstappen’s victory in Canada marked his sixth triumph of the campaign and his fourth consecutive win.
Despite the team’s impressive performance, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, issued a bold statement after the race, ominously warning that they have the potential to emerge victorious in every grand prix this season.
“Today, to win the 100th grand prix for the team that’s pretty incredible,” said Verstappen, who has now led more than 200 consecutive laps.
“I never expected to be in these kinds of numbers myself as well, we keep enjoying, we keep working hard but today has been a great day.”
While Red Bull toasted a landmark victory it was not a perfect day for the team as Sergio Perez’s worrying run of below-par performances continued with the Mexican failing to get on the podium for the third consecutive race.

After a poor qualifying effort that saw him start 12th, Perez moved up to finish sixth and take the bonus point for the fastest lap.
Despite his recent struggles Perez remains second in the drivers standings, but a whopping 69 points behind Verstappen who leads with 195.
There was also some disappointment in the Aston Martin garage with the team unable to deliver the double podium result owner Lawrence Stroll had asked for at his home race.
While Alonso reached the podium, the Canadian billionaire’s son Lance Stroll finished ninth.
“We were hoping to challenge more the Red Bulls,” said Alonso. “It was a battle with the Mercedes, we were pushing all the race so I didn’t have one lap where I could relax a little bit, an amazing battle.
“It was tough, a very demanding race, almost 70 laps of qualifying.”
Hamilton’s third place provided more proof that Mercedes are heading in the right direction as the team looks to close the gap on the rampaging Red Bulls.
It is the second consecutive Grand Prix Hamilton has appeared on the podium while team mate George Russell had looked a threat until spinning into the wall early in the race, damaging his car. He did not finish the race.
For the second straight year Verstappen won from pole on the island circuit. He bolted away from pack at the start and was never under threat but was also unable to pull away, finishing 9.5 seconds clear of Alonso.

Driver of the day honours went to Alex Albon, who finished seventh after a great display of defensive driving on well worn tyres to give Williams a rare points finish.
(With inputs from Reuters)