Montreal racing fans react to Max Verstappen’s Grand Prix victory
Posted June 18, 2023 5:21 pm.
Last Updated June 18, 2023 9:33 pm.
An eventful race weekend in Montreal – with technical issues at the track Friday and a huge downpour Saturday – ended with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking the chequered flag at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on race day Sunday.
The two-time reigning world champion held off the competition over 70 laps under a cloudy – but ultimately dry – Montreal sky.
BACKROUND: Max Verstappen wins back-to-back Canadian Grand Prix
Fans willing to spend a few hundred dollars got to see the action live on Île Notre-Dame. Others packed bars on Peel and Crescent downtown, cheering on their favourite teams.
Montreal Formula One fans watch the Canadian Grand Prix from Peel Pub June 18, 2023. (Gareth Madoc-Jones/CityNews)
Several were thrilled to see Verstappen lead from start to finish to claim his sixth victory of the season – the 100th Formula One win for Red Bull.
“I’m so happy for that. Just incredible to see,” one woman wearing full Red Bull gear told CityNews.
Red Bull remained perfect with eight wins in eight races this season and increased its already sizable lead in the constructors’ standings.
“Just fabulous. Another win for Verstappen. And hopefully he’ll win the title again,” added a second Red Bull fan.
WATCH: Canadian Grand Prix race day in Montreal
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes placed second and third to round out the podium.
At least one fan at Peel Pub Sunday afternoon felt the result was in the stars.
“We already predicted Max first, Alonso second, Lewis third. It was pretty predictable. But it was a solid race. It was a good one,” he said.
Alonso and Hamilton duelled throughout the race.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, blasted past two-time champion Alonso on the first turn to move up to P2. Alonso then retook his position on Lap 22 with an overtake into the final chicane.
Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, widens his lead going into a corner during Formula One auto racing action at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Sunday, June 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
“It was a very nice lap also between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso for second place,” one fan described. “But Verstappen had the best lap for the majority of the race. Very nice race for him.”
“I was really hoping for Fernando Alonso to make a move to win the race,” said another. “That didn’t happen. But I’m glad to see the top-3 the way it ended.”
Montreal’s Lance Stroll, Canada’s lone F1 driver, started in 16th and finished ninth, tying his best result at home.
– With files from Gareth Madoc-Jones and The Canadian Press
Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, reacts at the end of Formula One auto racing action at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Sunday, June 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
