In a nail-biting and rain-soaked Canadian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen emerged victorious, securing his third consecutive win at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Red Bull Racing driver’s strategic prowess, combined with excellent team calls, played a pivotal role in his triumph. But it was the turning point of the race, a moment of calculated risk, that had fans on the edge of their seats.
"I was like 'Arghhh!'"
Max and Lando relive the turning point of the race #F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/D4g3zSeWGE
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 9, 2024
But it was during the closing laps that the race took a decisive turn. Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, closed in on Verstappen. The Dutchman faced a dilemma: defend aggressively and risk tire degradation, or strategically yield and maintain a gap. Verstappen chose the latter, allowing Norris to pass.
Verstappen’s race strategy was a masterclass in precision. As rain fell sporadically, the Red Bull team had to make split-second decisions. Verstappen himself acknowledged the craziness of the race, saying, “We had to keep on top of our calls, and as a team, we did really well today. We remained calm and pitted at the right time.”
Max Verstappen and George Russell Tie in Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying
Max Verstappen and George Russell left fans in awe as they both clocked an identical lap time of 1 minute 12.000 seconds. However, despite the tie, Russell secured pole position due to a lesser-known Formula 1 rule.
F1 regulations state that if two drivers set the same pole position time, the one who achieved it first will start at the front of the grid. This was only the second time such a tie occurred since F1 timing started recording to three decimal places.
Russell’s pole position marks a significant achievement for the Mercedes driver, as it’s only his second pole in his career. His precise timing during the qualifying session allowed him to claim the coveted top spot on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, matched Russell’s pace but missed out on pole due to the timing technicality. Nevertheless, Verstappen’s performance showcased his consistency and determination as he continues to lead the championship standings.
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