MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 18: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-23 and Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 battle for track position at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Let’s take a look at the performance of British drivers in Canada in recent years. Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious at the Canadian Grand Prix on seven previous occasions.
Bookmakers are not predicting an eighth win on June 9, but they are offering tempting bonuses. It has been five years since the former world champion claimed victory in this race. That win marked the fourth time in five years that he stood on the top step of the podium, celebrating with champagne.
Sebastian Vettel started the race in pole position, with Hamilton in second on the grid. Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, had a disappointing starting position in eighth place. George Russell, still representing Williams at the time, was eliminated in Q1 and finished 16th in the race.
Although Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious at the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix, his win was shrouded in controversy. The race brings back unpleasant memories for Lando Norris, who was forced to retire while in eighth place on lap nine. His McLaren suffered a rear right suspension failure, but how did that happen?
It was later revealed that the brakes on his McLaren overheated, causing a fire that damaged the suspension. Norris hopes to avoid a similar incident in June.
At various points in the race, Vettel, Leclerc, and Hamilton took turns leading. Hamilton, despite nearly colliding with the outer wall on lap 48 when Vettel’s Ferrari re-entered the track after a stint on the grass, ultimately emerged as the winner.
Vettel received a five-second penalty for his actions. Although he finished ahead, his advantage over Hamilton was only 1.3 seconds, resulting in the British driver being declared the winner. Vettel was far from pleased with the outcome.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Grand Prix did not take place in the following two years. In 2022, the F1 circus returned, with Red Bull now dominating instead of Mercedes. Max Verstappen led the driver’s championship, with a 21-point advantage over his teammate Sergio Perez.
British drivers had mixed results in qualifying. Lando Norris failed to set a time and was eliminated in Q2. Lewis Hamilton qualified in fourth place, while George Russell was in eighth.
Russell took a risk by opting for slick tires in his final attempt in Q3, but it didn’t work out. As he went through a puddle at Turn 2, his Mercedes spun and hit the wall. Although he managed to continue, his hopes of securing pole position were dashed.
The race saw Verstappen once again emerge victorious, finishing ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr.’s Ferrari. Mercedes had a strong performance (something they hope to replicate in June), with Hamilton finishing in third place and Russell in fourth.
Hamilton faced issues early on when Kevin Magnussen’s Haas collided with his car, but fortunately, the damage was not severe. Lando Norris finished in 15th and received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
Last year, we witnessed another victory for Verstappen, who arrived in Canada with a 53-point lead at the top of the standings. With Red Bull leading by a substantial 135-point margin over Mercedes in the constructor’s championship, bettors were offering favorable odds for Verstappen to secure another win.
Verstappen showed his speed in the initial qualifying session (Q1), but the subsequent rain interrupted the remaining qualifying rounds. Hamilton secured the fourth fastest time in Q3, surpassing George Russell by one position, while Norris settled for eighth place. However, both Hamilton and Russell were promoted after Nico Hulkenberg received a three-position penalty due to a violation during a red flag incident.
During Sunday’s race, Hamilton did his best to overtake Verstappen, who had secured pole position in qualifying. In the end, Hamilton settled for third place, behind Verstappen. This victory marked the 100th Grand Prix triumph for Red Bull.
Despite colliding with the wall at turn nine, resulting in significant damage to the front wing of his Mercedes, George Russell bravely secured fourth place.
Lando Norris faced additional complications by receiving a five-second penalty for unsporting conduct. He slowed down while a safety car period was still in effect.
Will the British drivers fare better in the next Canadian Grand Prix in June? Norris has faced a series of misfortunes in previous races, but seems to have the highest potential for a podium finish.
Bettors remain firm in their belief that Verstappen will secure a third consecutive victory in Canada, although it is expected that the British drivers will offer a formidable challenge.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is back at Manchester United. After 12 years, the Portuguese player returns to the club where he won numerous titles and became an idol. The news took fans by surprise and generated high expectations for the new season.
Ronaldo, 36 years old, signed a two-year contract with Manchester United. His signing was met with enthusiasm by fans, who are eager to see the star in action again wearing the Red Devils’ shirt. The player had been at Juventus in Italy since 2018.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United promises to bring a new breath to the team. With his vast experience and undeniable skill, the player has everything to help the team win titles and achieve great feats. The expectation is that he will form an unbeatable duo with the young talent, Marcus Rashford.
In addition to the impact on the field, Ronaldo’s signing also brings benefits off the pitch. The sale of shirts with the player’s name and number has already started to soar, showing the huge commercial appeal that the star possesses. Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United is undoubtedly a milestone for the club and world football.
Manchester United’s fans are celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s return. Fans are eagerly waiting to see the idol in action again and believe he can be the difference maker the team needs to shine again. The new season promises to be exciting and full of great moments led by Ronaldo.
