Max Verstappen has won six of eight Formula One races this year (Picture: Getty)
Max Verstappen emerged victorious at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday to win his fourth Formula One race in a row and strengthen his world title bid.
The Dutchman started on pole and was the first to pass the chequered flag as Red Bull maintained their perfect record – with Verstappen and his team-mate Sergio Perez winning every single race of the year so far between the two of them.
Verstappen is looking to become world champion for the third year in a row following his maiden triumph in 2021 and dominant 2022 campaign and he was joined on the podium in Canada by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
Alonso and Hamilton finished second and third respectively, while Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ended up fourth and fifth.
Verstappen never looked like surrendering his lead but despite his supremacy, it was an entertaining race in Montreal and early drama ensued as Hamilton passed Alonso up the inside at the first corner on the first lap to take second.
Aston Martin star Alonso – who has been Verstappen’s closest challenger so far this year – regained second from Hamilton on lap 22 not long after the duo almost collided going into the pit lane.
Meanwhile, there was bad news for Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who started the race in fourth, after he hit a wall on lap 12.
It looked like Russell’s race was over but Mercedes managed to get him back out on the track as the British driver managed to fight his way back inside the top 10 – before retiring on lap 55 with his car eventually deemed undrivable.
Verstappen, who has now won six of eight races in 2023 and secured Red Bull’s 100th win, said: ‘[I am] very happy right now.
‘It was not a very straight forward race as the tyres were not getting into their window. It was very cold compared to Friday, we were sliding.
‘But, we made it work and to win the 100th GP for the team is pretty incredible. We keep enjoying it and keep working hard. Today has been a great day again.’
Hamilton, reflecting on his third-placed finish, added: ‘It’s been a great weekend for us. We are slowly chipping away.
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‘The Astons took a little bit of a step ahead this weekend when they added the upgrade. We are working on bringing some more moving forwards.
‘But [it is great] to have this consistency and be up on the podium in Montreal… which is such an incredible city and we get such a great crowd here every year without fail.’
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He’s won four races in a row!