With a perfect performance in Canada, Max Verstappen increased his lead in the Formula One drivers’ championship.
After Yuki Tsunoda crashed his vehicle coming out of the pit lane, a safety car was called, and Verstappen survived a 16-lap sprint to the finish.
Carlos Sainz of Ferrari finished second, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton third.
The thrilling finale was set up by a safety car on lap 49 of 70, when Tsunoda wrecked coming out of the pits.
Sainz was in front of Verstappen, but the eventual victor had pitted earlier and had fresher tyres.
The safety car allowed Sainz to pit for new tyres, putting him behind Verstappen but allowing him to pursue the Dutchman for his first career F1 victory.
Despite having DRS (drag reduction system) down the straights, Sainz was unable to overtake his opponent, and his maiden victory remains elusive.
Verstappen said that his car’s straight-line speed made all the difference in the final laps, giving him his sixth win of the season.
“I think overall they (Sainz) were very quick in the race, so it would have been really tough for me to close that gap to the end, even on fresher tyres,” he said.
“It was really exciting at the end I was giving it everything I had.
“The last few laps were a lot of fun.”
Verstappen’s victory is the sixth consecutive race win for the Red Bull team.