Max Verstappen secured a dramatic victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, overcoming wet conditions, multiple Safety Car periods, and stiff competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris. The action-packed race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve saw Verstappen and Red Bull bounce back after their struggles in Monaco.

The race began under wet conditions with George Russell, who had clinched pole position, leading the pack. Norris quickly made his move, overtaking both Verstappen and Russell as the track began to dry. However, an untimely Safety Car caused by Logan Sargeant’s crash reshuffled the field, dropping Norris to third.

Verstappen capitalized on the restart, maintaining his lead through changing conditions. He adeptly navigated further rain showers and the transition from intermediate to slick tires, emerging unscathed from another Safety Car period triggered by a collision between Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.

Norris reclaimed second place through a fierce mid-race battle with Russell, who eventually settled for third after a late-race scrap with teammate Lewis Hamilton and Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

The race was marked by strategic tire calls, with Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen initially gaining positions on wet tires before fading as the track dried. Persistent power unit issues forced Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into retirement, while his teammate Sainz also failed to finish after the collision with Albon.

Sergio Perez was the fifth and final retiree after spinning off the track and damaging his rear wing. Verstappen’s win extended his championship lead to 56 points, capitalizing on Ferrari’s misfortunes.

The podium was rounded out by Verstappen, Norris, and Russell, with Hamilton finishing fourth and Piastri fifth. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll achieved a double points finish, and Daniel Ricciardo logged his first points of the season in eighth.

The next race will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix on June 21-23.