2023 Canadian GP Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

F1: Verstappen wins Canadian Grand Prix

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Defending World Champion Max Verstappen took the lead from pole and held it all the way to win the Canadian GP Formula 1 race in Montreal from Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen was never threatened as he opened up a comfortable gap at the front in his Red Bull Honda and then controlled it to save his tires and engine to win by over 9 seconds.

Race start – 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

“It was not a straightforward race, the tires were not getting in their window and we were sliding around a bit. But to win today, to win the 100th Grand Prix for the team is incredible. I never expected to be on these kind of numbers myself.”

Hamilton initially took 2nd place from Alonso at the start, but Alonso out dueled him and took the spot back from his former McLaren teammate.

“We were hoping to challenge a little more the Red Bull, but we lost a place at the start and it was a battle with the Mercedes,” said Alonso. “Lewis was pushing all the race, I didn’t have a single lap I could relax. At the end, Lewis had more pace, it was a tough race. It was 70 laps of qualifying today.”

It was Verstappen’s 6th race win of the year out of 8 races, and the 41st F1 win of his career, tying him with the great Ayrton Senna, as he stretches his point lead over Sergio Perez 195 to 126 points (a 69 point gap that was 53 when the race began).

It was the 100th win for the Red Bull team, only the 5th team to ever reach the century mark. All smiles from Verstappen as the anthems play out, with his team watching on below. Christian Horner looked like a proud Dad down there, which is apt considering it is Father’s Day for much of the world.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“It’s been a great weekend for us – we are slowly chipping away,” said Hamilton.

“The Astons moved away with their upgrades, but we are bringing some more soon. We knew this wouldn’t be our strongest circuit, we struggle on the low speed corners.

“We need to add rear downforce to the car, but I do believe we will get there at some stage. It’s quite an honor to be up there with two world champions.”

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. rounded out the top-5.

Sergio Perez pitted late for soft tires and set the fastest lap and took the point away from Hamilton on the final lap on his drive from 17th to 6th.

George Russell retired from the race after clouting the wall exiting Turn 9 and breaking his wheel. He returned to the race but later retired.

More to follow….

Race Results – 70 Laps

POS DRIVER NAT. TEAM BEHIND
1 Max Verstappen NED Oracle Red Bull Racing +0.000s
2 Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant +9.570s
3 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team +14.168s
4 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari +18.648s
5 Carlos Sainz ESP Scuderia Ferrari +21.540s
6 Sergio Perez MEX Oracle Red Bull Racing +51.028s
7 Alex Albon THA Williams Racing +60.813s
8 Esteban Ocon FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team +61.692s
9 Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant +64.402s
10 Valtteri Bottas FIN Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake +64.432s
11 Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren F1 Team +65.101s
12 Pierre Gasly FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team +65.249s
13 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team +68.363s
14 Yuki Tsunoda JPN Scuderia AlphaTauri +73.423s
15 Nico Hulkenberg GER MoneyGram Haas F1 Team +1 Lap
16 Zhou Guanyu CHN Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake +1 Lap
17 Kevin Magnussen DEN MoneyGram Haas F1 Team +1 Lap
18 Nyck de Vries NED Scuderia AlphaTauri +1 Lap
19 George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team DNF
20 Logan Sargeant USA Williams Racing DNF