The Most Unforgettable Moments from the Canadian GP: Verstappen's Hat-Trick and Stroll's Record-Breaking Finish
Verstappen's Hat-Trick and Stroll's Record-Breaking Finish
The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal hosted a rollercoaster of a race during the Canadian Grand Prix, with the weather throwing curveballs and drivers navigating intense battles. The Grand Prix was not just a spectacle of driving skills but also a wealth of fascinating statistics and records. Allow us to take you on a journey through the most striking moments and figures from this unforgettable race.
Verstappen's Triumphant Hat-Trick
Max Verstappen dazzled everyone with his 60th career win, marking his 50th win in the last 75 races since the beginning of 2021. The Dutch driver clinched his third consecutive Canadian Grand Prix win, further solidifying his position as one of F1’s finest. Adding to the excitement, Red Bull’s lead in the constructors' championship more than doubled, a clear indicator of their dominance. They increased their lead over Ferrari from 24 points to a commanding 49 points due to Verstappen's stellar performance.
It wasn't just Verstappen who shone; McLaren’s Lando Norris joined him on the podium, making it the fourth time in the last five races that these two have finished one-two. This race was particularly special for McLaren as it marked their first point-scoring finish in Canada in a decade. Norris becomes the only driver to have scored in every Grand Prix of the 2024 season, which is a noteworthy achievement.
Milestones and Records Broken
Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured a strong P5, only missing out on points once this season, illustrating the consistency of the McLaren team. The Canadian Grand Prix also fell on the 56th anniversary of McLaren's first-ever F1 Grand Prix win, adding a touch of nostalgia to their achievements.
Mercedes also had reasons to celebrate. George Russell's P3 was the team's first podium finish this year, while Lewis Hamilton made his first top-five finish of the season, securing P4. However, Hamilton missed the podium for only the second time in the last eight Canadian Grands Prix.
Stroll's Home Glory and More
Local favorite Lance Stroll finished in P7, securing his fifth points finish in his home race and surpassing Gilles Villeneuve’s record for the most points finishes by a Canadian driver at their home Grand Prix. For Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso achieved a P6 finish, ending a two-race scoreless streak.
Perhaps the most heartening story came from Daniel Ricciardo, who finished in P8, marking his first points finish in 2024. Meanwhile, Alpine showed strong form with Pierre Gasly finishing in P9 and Esteban Ocon in P10, making it the first time both cars scored points in the 2024 season.
Unexpected Twists and Strategic Moves
The Haas team chose an unconventional strategy by starting Nico Hulkenberg (P11) and Kevin Magnussen (P12) on full wet tires, which enabled them to run in the top four early in the race. Valtteri Bottas tied his best result of the season with a P13 finish for Kick Sauber, while Ferrari faced a dismal double DNF, their first pointless weekend since Australia 2023. Sergio Perez continued his unlucky streak with back-to-back DNFs for Red Bull, in Monaco and Canada.
This Canadian Grand Prix was a race to remember, packed with unforgettable moments, record-breaking feats, and strategic maneuvers that kept fans on the edge of their seats. As the season progresses, it's clear that 2024 will be one for the history books.
For more insights and in-depth race analysis, stay tuned and keep your engines revving!