RACE REPORT | F1 Canada 2023

Max Verstappen took his second win in a row in Canada to extend his lead in the world championship. The 25-year-old won the sixth of eight races this year and dominated for the fourth consecutive time. He has yet to finish worse than second this season. His teammate Sergio Pérez is second in the championship despite finishing sixth, earning an extra point for fastest lap. The Mexican's gap to Verstappen now stands at a huge 69 points.

Verstappen, who won qualifying, retained the lead after the start. Lewis Hamilton, who overtook Fernando Alonso, moved into second place. Williams' Logan Sargeant retired on lap eight due to technical problems. Four laps later, Mercedes' George Russell hit the wall and the safety car took to the track. Along with Verstappen, Hamilton and Alonso also pitted to change tyres. Hamilton tried to overtake Verstappen on his return from the pits, but despite pushing him, the stewards gave him no penalty.

Double world champion Alonso held on to third place for a long time, but on lap 22 he took advantage of his superior speed to overtake Hamilton. Russell came back into the top 10 from the back of the field but failed to finish the race due to brake problems.

The leading three drivers made one more pit stop before the end of the race. Mercedes said Alonso had problems with overheated brakes and Hamilton closed in on him with ten laps to go. However, the seven-time world champion failed to make a move and finished third. The top three finished in the same order they started the race.

"Everything went as I expected. I believed that we would put some pressure on Red Bull. We lost one position after the start and Lewis and I fought against each other the whole race. I didn't even have one lap to rest. It was a great battle," said Alonso.

It was the forty-one-year-old Spaniard's fifth podium finish this season, while Hamilton was on the podium for the third time. "It was a good weekend for us. I think we are going in the right direction," Hamilton said. Williams' Alexander Albon also had a great race as he held on to seventh place. Home driver Lance Stroll of Aston Martin finished two places worse.