Red Bull’s Verstappen holds off Ferrari’s Sainz to win Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held his nerves calm to edge past Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz after a tense duel to the finishing line to win the Canadian Grand Prix 2022, here on Sunday.

Verstappen, who dominated the majority of the race found a major threat in Sainz as the latter benefited from the virtual safety cars’ strategy; interrupting Vertsappen’s lead twice.

The safety car played into Sainz’s hands near the end, allowing him to attack Verstappen in the closing stages, but he just couldn’t find a way past as the former, despite heavy pressure by Sainz, held on with the older tyres.

Another Red Bull driver Sergio Perez remained in the second place despite retiring from the race with an engine problem but is only three points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who has been struggling in the ongoing season finally claimed his first podium as he finished third just ahead of his teammate George Russell.

 

Fernando Alonso of Alpha Tauri, who excelled in wet qualifying to earn a spot on the front row for the first time in ten years, finished seventh behind teammate Esteban Ocon due to a dubious Alpine strategy and some technical difficulties.

Following the conclusion of the Canadian GP, Red Bull retained their lead to 76 points clear of the second-ranked Ferrari, while Mercedes remained in third.

 

Verstappen, on the other hand, extended his championship lead over Leclerc to 49 points. Whereas, Perez holds the second.

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