MOTORSPORT: Verstappen wins in Canada

Max Verstappen has returned to the top step of the Formula 1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, where the Red Bull driver held off multiple challengers as varied conditions tested competitors.

Both George Russell (Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren) led strongly, however, they had to settle for the minor placings, with the reigning world champion claiming his third straight victory in Montreal.

From the start, polesitter George Russell led the field away on a sodden track, while the biggest mover in the opening exchanges was Kevin Magnussen, who drove his Haas from 14th up to fourth on lap four of 70.

Magnussen’s charge was curtailed by a tardy pit stop to change from the full wet to the intermediate tyres, while Verstappen pressured Russell in the lead before he momentarily ran wide at the first corner.

Norris made it past Verstappen on lap 21 before taking the race lead on the next circuit from Russell.

Four laps later, Logan Sargeant suffered his second off for the race, with the safety car called to retrieve his Williams.

As the field slowed, Norris pitted and dropped to third behind Verstappen and Russell.

When the cross-over point to slick tyres came, Norris was the last to stop among the leaders and made up the most ground, momentarily leading while re-entering the circuit before Verstappen powered through.

On lap 50, Russell slipped up, allowing Norris into second, while the positions were reversed when Norris slid wide on the next circuit.

At this stage, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) retired, after earlier dropping to the rear of the field after a gamble on slick tyres backfired.

Sergio Perez’s tough weekend ended on lap 53 when he backed into the barriers, after failing to advance from the opening leg of qualifying for the second successive race.

Meanwhile, the spinning Ferrari of Carlos Sainz collected Alex Albon on the next circuit, ending a miserable day for Williams.

Albon’s stricken machine saw the safety car once again called onto the circuit and, when racing resumed on lap 59, Oscar Piastri found himself engaged in a battle with Russell.

Going side by side into the final chicane, Russell went off track, leaving Piastri in third and allowing Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton through to fourth.

Hamilton was next to make a move, using the longevity of his hard tyres to sweep into third past Piastri.

As Russell regained fourth from Piastri, a torrid battle at the back of the top ten saw Yuki Tsunoda (RB) spin down the order.

Any hopes the Mercedes pair had of getting ahead of Norris were dashed when they engaged in a battle that ended in Russell's favour.

At the chequered flag, Verstappen was victorious by nearly 4sec from Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, then Daniel Ricciardo (RB), and the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

After an off weekend, F1 returns on June 23 with the Spanish Grand Prix.

2024 Canadian Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

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