Verstappen Takes Victory in Thrilling 2024 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Amid Mixed Weather Conditions
In a gripping race filled with twists and turns, Max Verstappen emerged victorious at the 2024 F1 Canadian Grand Prix, securing his spot atop the Formula 1 standings. The Red Bull driver beat McLaren’s Lando Norris and George Russell of Mercedes to claim the win.
The Race Highlights
The race, held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, saw polesitter Russell lead the charge to Turn 1 in wet conditions ahead of Verstappen and the McLarens of Norris and Piastri. However, the weather conditions proved to be a challenge for many drivers, with some opting for intermediate tires and others choosing full wets.
“The conditions were really tricky out there, but the team did a great job with the strategy to get me this win.” – Max Verstappen
Daniel Ricciardo’s good qualifying performance was undone when he fell back from fifth to seventh, passed by Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Ricciardo was also handed a 5-second penalty for a false start.
Kevin Magnussen, who started his Haas on full wets, charged up to eighth on the first lap from 14th on the grid. He then passed Ricciardo, Hamilton, and Alonso for fifth, but a slow pit stop saw him tumble back to 14th.
As the track dried, Norris used DRS to pass Verstappen for second on lap 20, setting off after Russell, who had been as much as 2 seconds ahead. Norris repeated his move on Russell to take the lead, but Russell went straight on at the chicane and lost second to Verstappen too.
The rain returned, prompting a safety car, and Verstappen led Russell, Norris, and Piastri at the restart on lap 30. Hamilton got ahead of Alonso for fifth during the pit cycle, while Yuki Tsunoda jumped up to seventh, ahead of Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Esteban Ocon (up from 18th in his Alpine), and Ricciardo.
As the rain intensified, Verstappen pulled away by 1.5 seconds at half distance, but Norris straight-lined the first corners on lap 42, dropping him back from Russell. Hamilton pitted from fifth for slicks on lap 44, followed by Piastri a tour later.
Verstappen and Russell stopped on lap 45, as Norris stayed out for two laps and set the fastest lap. He pitted on lap 47, rejoining side-by-side with Verstappen but without the heat in his tires and fishtailing to second.
The safety car was required again when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari spun and Alex Albon’s Williams collected him, moments after Sergio Perez had crashed his Red Bull backwards into the wall. Russell and Hamilton opted to pit for fresh mediums.
Verstappen bolted away at the restart on lap 59, quickly gapping Norris by 2 seconds, who had Piastri, Russell, and Hamilton on his tail. Russell attacked Piastri with 16 laps remaining at the chicane, but Piastri shoved him straight on, allowing Hamilton past his teammate to pick up fourth.
Hamilton grabbed third by DRS-ing past Piastri with six laps to go, with Russell doing likewise a tour later. Verstappen won by 3.8 seconds over Norris, with Russell grabbing third from Hamilton with a couple of laps remaining.
A monumental scrap was fought out in the closing stages between Alpine and RB for eighth, with Ocon, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, and Gasly all nose-to-tail. Tsunoda crashed out of the points at Turn 9, almost wiping out several cars. Ricciardo finished eighth from Gasly and Ocon.
Ferrari suffered a woeful day, with Sainz going out with accident damage and Charles Leclerc forced to retire after an engine problem plagued him from the start.
Formula 1 fans can catch up on all the action from the 2024 F1 Canadian Grand Prix by visiting the official Formula 1 website or checking out Formula 1 news today. Stay up-to-date with the latest Formula 1 standings, Formula 1 calendar, and Formula 1 news to get ready for the next exciting race.
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