Max Verstappen secured his sixth win of the 2023 Formula 1 season and fourth consecutive on the way to a dominating performance at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal.
Verstappen claimed top pole position during qualifiers, followed by Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin. After claiming the top spot, Verstappen would take the lead and never relinquish it as he led all 70 laps during the race, the third time he has done so during the 2023 Formula 1 season.
On race day, Verstappen’s first-place finish was followed by Alonso of Aston Martin placing second and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in third. Alonso has finished either second or third in six of the eight races so far this season. Hamilton finished top three for the third time this season, including in back-to-back races.
Despite finishing sixth, Sergio Perez recorded the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:14.481 on Lap 70, averaging a speed of around 211 miles per hour.
Verstappen’s win extended his lead over Red Bull teammate Perez to 69 points. Alonso is closing in on second place in the standings after finishing second to close the gap to just six points behind Perez.
Verstappen’s victory didn’t come without obstacles, with the Red Bull driver admitting to having a bird caught in his brake duct during the race.
The first-place finish tallied the 41st win of Verstappen’s career, tying him with Ayrton Senna (41) for fifth on the all-time winners’ list. Only Lewis Hamilton (103), Michael Schumacher (91), Sebastian Vettel (54), and Alain Prost (51) have won more races.
Verstappen’s Canadian Grand Prix victory also marks the 100th win for the Red Bull team. Red Bull is now the fifth team to reach the centennial mark following Ferrari (242), McLaren (183), Mercedes (125), and Williams (114). Red Bull remain unbeaten through eight races of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The next stop on the 2023 F1 season schedule is the Austrian Grand Prix’s Spielberg Red Bull Ring race from June 30 to July 2. Stay up to speed and explore the season schedule.
