The only 24-year-old Verstappen relegated Leclerc’s teammates Carlos Sainz (Spain) and Lewis Hamilton (England / Mercedes) to their 150th Formula 1 race. Hamilton’s performance was particularly noteworthy: the record world champion was still writhing with back pain in Baku a week ago, in Friday training in Montreal he complained about his slow cars, on Sunday he got his second podium after the start of the season in Bahrain.
Verstappen already has 175 points in his account. Perez, who had to capitulate early with a drive defect, is still at 129 points, Leclerc has 126 points on the credit side after nine races. After two engine failures in the last three races, the Monegasque was again not lucky: Because of engine penalties, he had to follow the field.
Tsunoda drives into the barrier – and triggers safety car phase
At the start, pole setter Verstappen easily pulled away. Old champion Fernando Alonso next to him, who had reached the front row again for the first time in almost ten years, was unable to carry out his threat to attack the Dutchman in turn one.
Leclerc stayed on his first set of tires for a long time and gradually worked his way up from 19th on the grid. In the battle for fifth place against Alonso’s Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon, however, he couldn’t get past. After 42 laps out of 70, Leclerc finally changed his tires but now found himself outside the points. His toil began again.
The race rippled along until Yuki Tsunoda (Japan/AlphaTauri) drove into the barrier after 49 laps and triggered a safety car phase. Verstappen now had Sainz right behind him and had to defend himself to the checkered flag.