After a setback in Monte Carlo, Max Verstappen returns in style to the top step of the podium, also winning in Canada. In a race where there was no shortage of emotions and episodes, given the rain that fell before and during the race, the Dutchman made only one real mistake, with a long take in turn two which gave Lando Norris the opportunity to close in on the first part of the GP, then finding that overtaking which had put the Briton in a position to overtake not only the Dutchman, but also George Russell in the lead.
The decisive moment, however, came when the Safety Car came out, when McLaren failed to call Lando Norris back to the pit in time. In fact, the indication for the safety car to come out came just a few moments before the Englishman passed the last FIA lighted sign before the pit lane, so the reaction time would have been minimal in any case.
On the contrary, those behind him immediately managed to stop and return to the pits, thus being able to fit another set of intermediate tires in view of the return of the rain expected in a few minutes. Norris also then managed to rejoin, but only one lap after his rivals: that extra lap was fatal, because the McLaren driver slipped from first to third place, also behind Russell’s Mercedes.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
From that moment on, Verstappen maintained the lead, also managing the moment of switching to slicks admirably, one of the most delicate episodes of the race. Being in the lead, Red Bull clearly took no risks, deciding to stay out until they had concrete evidence regarding the functioning of the dry tyre. While Norris stayed out to try something different, Verstappen made the tire change, switching to the medium, a more high-performance compound, but also more subject to the risk of graining than the hard.
The good management of the media, even in the moment of the restart after the Safety Car due to the accident of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, was the key that allowed Verstappen to achieve another victory, always keeping his rivals at a distance shoulders, often engaged in dueling with each other.
“It was a crazy race. A lot happened, we had to manage the pit calls well. The team did a great job today, we kept calm, we stopped at the right time. Then the Safety Car also came on at the right time for us, but even after that we managed the situation well. It was a fun race, one you need every now and then. At different moments of the race Mercedes and McLaren were great rivals.”
During the race, the Dutchman also spoke about a potential suspension problem, but after the race the three-time world champion explained that within the team they are aware of what it was: “It wasn’t a big problem, we knew what it was. The most important thing is that we won and that there is still room for improvement,” said Verstappen.
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