Verstappen wins chaotic and rain-filled Canadian GP
Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Canadian GP. Mercedes impressed with a strong performance, while McLaren missed their chance to win due to an ill-timed pit stop.
Max Verstappen emerged victorious in a Canadian Grand Prix heavily influenced by changing weather conditions, turning the tables on Lando Norris after the McLaren driver's safety car-assisted win in Miami.
Verstappen, starting second, maintained his position ahead of pole-sitter George Russell during their switch to intermediate tires under a safety car period triggered by Logan Sargeant's crash.
Norris, who had taken the lead, was unfortunate to have passed the pit entry when the safety car was deployed, forcing him to wait an extra lap to make his stop.
Pit Stops Strategy Defined the Race
Despite the best efforts of McLaren and Mercedes, Verstappen held firm.
Norris, having dropped to third after his ill-timed stop, had to wait patiently for a dry line to materialize before he could demonstrate the speed he had shown in the early stages.
As the track began to dry, Verstappen and Russell pitted simultaneously for slicks on lap 45.
Norris extended his stint by two laps, briefly undercutting Verstappen. However, a moment of oversteer as he exited the pits handed the advantage back to the Red Bull driver.
A second safety car, caused by Carlos Sainz sliding into Alex Albon, did little to trouble Verstappen.
The Dutchman expertly managed the restart and never looked back.
Mercedes impresses with strong showing
Russell secured Mercedes' first podium of the year by holding off a late charge from teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Oscar Piastri took a somewhat solitary fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso.
McLaren's missed opportunity for victory
Canada's own Lance Stroll finished seventh, while Daniel Ricciardo resisted intense pressure from the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon to claim eighth and his first points of the campaign.
In a race dictated by the ever-changing conditions, it was Verstappen who adapted best, taking another significant step towards a third consecutive world championship.
For Norris, second place was a strong result, but he will undoubtedly rue the timing of that first safety car.
Canadian Grand Prix Results
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