Today's F1 News Delivered Faster Than a Pit Stop
Verstappen carried dead bird to 41st victory, Ferrari's driver-led safety car "gamble" pays off, and other big updates from around the world of Formula 1.
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, and his 41st overall (tied with Ayrton Senna), crossing the finish line ahead of Fernando Alonso with a dead bird behind his front-right brake duct. Although Hamilton briefly overtook Alonso on the first lap, the Spaniard successfully regained his position and held off the British driver throughout the 70-lap race. Verstappen’s win also marked the 100th victory for Red Bull, which has made massive strides in recent years.
Click here to read the full article on ESPN.
Ferrari's decision not to pit during the Safety Car period in the Canadian Grand Prix proved to be a smart move. Despite the potential for a strategic misstep, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. gained six places each and finished just outside the podium positions. As confirmed by the drivers, Ferrari chose to stay out to take advantage of better pace in clear air. While it was a gamble, not pitting allowed them to make up positions, especially as the hard tires most drivers chose after pitting performed poorly. When Sergio Perez pitted behind them, Ferrari reacted well to maintain their position. Their successful one-stop strategy on medium tires demonstrated the team's responsiveness to their drivers' feedback and their ability to make tactical decisions that paid off.
Click here to read the full article by Keith Collantine (racefans.net).
The Canadian Grand Prix saw Nico Hulkenberg's qualifying success disappear as he finished with -1 fantasy point, ranking last in positions lost on the season. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez rebounded while George Russell retired, solidifying Perez's position as driver #2 in the fantasy meta lineup. Alexander Albon impressed with a P7 finish in the revamped Williams, earning him 22 fantasy points and the Driver of the Day award. Red Bull's dominance continued with their 100th victory and strong constructor performance, scoring more points than Mercedes and Ferrari combined. Additionally, F1 Fantasy players experienced substantial price increases, creating new strategic opportunities based on potential price changes.
Click here to read the full article on f1fantasy.com.
George Russell was forced to retire from the Canadian Grand Prix due to a crash and subsequent damage to his car. Initially running in fourth place, Russell hit a curb at the Turn 8-9 chicane, causing significant damage to his car and prompting the deployment of the Safety Car. Despite continuing and climbing back into the top 10, Russell was eventually called into the pit lane to retire the car. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed that the crash had also caused issues with brake cooling, making it unsafe for Russell to continue racing. Russell attributed the brake failure to the extended time he spent stuck in traffic behind other cars, causing excessive wear and damage.
Click here to read the full article by Connor McDonagh (crash.net).
Head to the post-race cooldown room at the Canadian GP, where three world champions - Verstappen, Hamilton, and Alonso - had an insightful exchange before celebrating on the podium.