Canadian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins Admist Unpleasant Weather Condition As George Russell Makes Podium

Max Verstappen clinched the Canadian Grand Prix victory for the third consecutive time, defiling changing weather conditions and fierce contest from McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes' pole-setter George Russell.

Verstappen regained winning ways after losing last weekend to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in street of Monaco where he complained about his car. Today, Leclerc was retired from the race over engine problem. That, however, did not make the race easily for Red Bull as Sergio Perez was also retired. 

The race was fairly less chaotic from the start, rather eventful and thrilling with weather conditions as both Norris and Russell displayed great competence challenging Verstappen to the podium victory. There were much DRS advantages to Verstappen until Lap 22, and what did work for the team was their timing on changing  medium tyres as the weather becomes dry. 

Russell led on from the get go as the pole-setter, and as the weather changed intermittently, new tyres were deployed against the changing surface condition. In these moments, Norris sped by Verstappen and then overtook the pole from Russell on Lap 21. 

Meanwhile, Verstappen while in second as safety car called for Logan Sargeant incident, got the DRS to speed by Norris as he was coming out of the pit and moved up to first on Lap 22. Hence, he led through the remaining laps. Red Bull timing on pitting for medium tyres worked well, giving Verstappen better traction against Norris' freshly deplored ones coming out of the pit. In the end, Norris finished in P2 behind Verstappen. 

There were many thrilling moments, even in the later stages as Lewis Hamilton moved up the standings to fourth behind Russell. The Briton made many mistakes running over the curbs that cost him time. With three laps remaining, Hamilton overtook Russell and was set for a podium before the latter gained DRS on him and reclaimed the third position. The seven-time in the end finished Fourth. 

Oscar Piastri had a great moment on the track, finished fifth behind Hamilton and in the top 10 for the first time this season was Daniel Ricciardo who finished in P8. Pierre Gasly got off to a dramatic start for colliding with Perez in the earlier stages but later finished in P9 ahead of Esteban Ocon. 

The victory was Verstappen 60th race win, extending his dominance in driver's standing for the season as he leads on in defense of the F1 Championship for the fourth season in a row. For Russell, it was his first podium position of the season.