Formula 1
Max Verstappen Triumphs in Canada as Red Bull Bounces Back: 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Review
Verstappen secures a crucial win for Red Bull as Norris impresses for McLaren and Mercedes celebrates a podium with Russell, while Ferrari faces a double DNF setback.
The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix delivered a thrilling spectacle filled with unexpected twists and standout performances. In a weekend marked by unpredictable weather and high stakes, Red Bull sought redemption after a challenging outing in Monaco. Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory for Red Bull. McLaren’s Lando Norris came in second after leading the race briefly. Mercedes took home their first trophy of the season as George Russell came in third. However, Ferrari faced a tough weekend, with both cars failing to finish the race.
Free Practice
Mercedes-powered cars led all three practice sessions this weekend, suggesting Red Bull was on the back foot.
Free Practice 1
There was heavy rain before the start of the first practice session, causing a delay in the opening of the pit exit as there was a lot of standing water on the newly resurfaced track. Hamilton was the first driver to explore the track on the green walled intermediate tyres almost halfway into the session.
A short while later, Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu aquaplaned out of turn 4 and collided with the wall, bringing out the red flag. For this session, the number 31 Alpine was sporting 61 as Jack Doohan replaced Esteban Ocon for the first of the year’s two mandatory FP1 rookie sessions. With 5 minutes to go in the session, drivers put on some slick tyres only to find out that the track wasn’t dry enough for the dry tyres. Multiple drivers including Verstappen, Leclerc, and Ricciardo went off the track attempting to find the limits. Mclaren’s Lando Norris set the fastest time of the session of 1:24:435 on the slick tyres while Carlos Sainz set the fastest lap on the intermediate tyres which was 3 seconds off the pace of Norris.
Free Practice 2
All teams were keen on getting some dry running after a wet FP1, except Ferrari, who sent Leclerc out on intermediates even before the rain hit the track with around 20 minutes to go. The highlights of the session included Alex Albon narrowly avoiding colliding into the ‘Wall of Champions’ and Leclerc taking his Ferrari for a spin in the turn 10 hairpin. The fastest lap of the session was set by last year’s podium finisher Fernando Alonso with a time of 1:15:180 on the soft tyres.
Free Practice 3
The final practice was the first completely dry session of the weekend, resulting in the teams making up for the lost dry running in the first two sessions. The session was briefly halted by the red flag brought out by Zhou Ghuanyu who crashed for the second time this weekend, this time out of turn 2, into the pit exit. A driver who just avoided an incident was Charles Leclerc who corrected a slide out of the final chicane. Verstappen and Albon were not so lucky as they both gave a tap to the ‘Wall of Champions’. Seven-time Canadian GP winner Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time of the session at 1:12:549.
Qualifying
Qualifying was probably the most anticipated session of the weekend as the pecking order was not exactly clear after the 3 practice sessions.
Q1 began under dry conditions, but rain was expected sometime in Q2. Defending champion Max Verstappen set the fastest time in Q1 while his teammate Sergio Perez, whose 2-year contract extension with Red Bull was announced earlier that week was P16 and eliminated in Q1 for the second race running. Others eliminated in Q1 included both the Saubers, Hulkenberg, and Ocon, while Sargeant advanced into Q2.
The surprise eliminations in Q2 included both the Ferraris with Leclerc in 11th and Sainz, one worse in 12th. There were some spots of rain in Q2 and Q3 but nothing that would cause tyre changes.
Q3 was neck to neck with Russell and Verstappen setting the same fastest time of 1:12:000 and 3-tenths of a second covering the top seven. Russell was on pole as he set the quickest time before Verstappen who qualified second. Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Daniel Ricciardo completed the top 5.
The Race
Everybody started the race on the intermediate tyres except both the Haas cars of Magnussen and Hulkenberg who chose the full wets. The Saubers started from the pitlane as they made setup changes after qualifying.
The entire grid made a tentative start owing to the wet conditions with the top four maintaining their positions and Hamilton and Alonso making up a place each. The first lap saw only one incident as Perez made contact with the Alpine of Pierre Gasly, which was deemed as a racing incident by race control, and no penalties were awarded.
The initial conditions proved to be conducive to the extreme wet tyres. Kevin Magnussen made up 11 positions in the first seven laps and his teammate Nico Hulkenberg made up 9 places, but as the track began to dry out the wet tyres began to fall off due to overheating and both the teammates began conceding places. On lap 8, K Mag made a pitstop for intermediate tyres, but a slow pitstop meant all the progress he made earlier became redundant.
In the full wet condition at the start of the race, Russell and Verstappen were pulling away from the Mclarens of Norris and Piastri, but as the track started drying, the Mclarens found some pace and Norris, with DRS enabled, made moves on the Russell and Verstappen, inheriting the lead of the race. Russell also lost out to Verstappen on the 21st lap.
On the 25th lap, Sargeant spun his Williams and crashed into the wall, bringing out the safety car. Verstappen and Russell pitted on lap 26 for new inters and Norris had to go around one more time before pitting as he had crossed the pit entry by the time the Safety Car was deployed. In this case, the undercut worked and Norris narrowly lost the lead of the race to Verstappen, rejoining the race in P3 behind Russell.
Verstappen managed to keep the lead of the race on the safety car restart but further down the field, Albon pulled off a spectacular double overtake for P9 on Ricciardo and Ocon in the span of a single chicane.
Leclerc had to retire the car on lap 34 as a result of some power unit issues he had been having since the start of the race. As the track dried out, the leaders were the last three cars to make the switch to the slick tyres. They made their stops on lap 45 and 46 with Verstappen maintaining the lead of the race. On lap 53 out of 70, Perez had to retire with a broken rear wing after he crashed on his own. The next lap saw two more retirements as Sainz spun and took out an unfortunate Albon with him, bringing out the safety car. Multiple cars pitted under the safety car.
The last laps of the race saw some hard racing from Piastri, Russell, and Hamilton with Russell and Piastri even making contact once in the final chicane. The last retirement of the race took place on the 66th lap as Tsunoda dropped it out of turn 8 while racing with Esteban Ocon. Verstappen took the chequered flag for his 60th win in F1, followed by Norris. Russell finished P3 to take the first podium of the season for Mercedes and Hamilton and Piastri rounded up the top 5. Hamilton set the fastest lap on the last lap and Norris became the Driver of the Day which is decided by fan voting.
“It was a pretty crazy race” -Verstappen.
“A lot of things were happening and we had to be on top of our calls. I think as a team we just did really well today, we remained calm, and I think we pitted at the right time. Of course, the Safety Car worked out nicely for us, but even after that I think we were managing the gaps quite well. I loved it – that was a lot of fun. Those kinds of races, you need them once in a while!” said Verstappen.
Championship Standings
Verstappen extended his championship lead at the top while Leclerc scored 0 points allowing Norris to close the gap to him.
Formula 1
Piastri For The Win, McLaren Double Podium, Max Receives 3 Penalty Points: 2025 Spanish GP Review
Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass in Barcelona, capping off a rollercoaster triple-header with a dominant win at the Spanish Grand Prix. The weekend was filled with uncertainty following the FIA’s new Technical Directive clamping down on flexi-wings, forcing every team except McLaren to scramble with upgrades. In the end, it was Piastri who capitalised on the chaos.
Piastri was in a league of his own all weekend, topping two of three practice sessions, grabbing pole with the largest margin of the season, and controlling the race from lights to flag. Calm, calculated, and clinical—this was a coming-of-age drive from the Aussie, who now leads the World Drivers’ Championship by 10 points.
Teammate Lando Norris made it a McLaren front row lockout, though he briefly lost P2 to Max Verstappen at the start. A smooth move down the inside of Turn 1 reclaimed the spot, and Norris brought the car home for a strong 1-2 finish, underlining McLaren’s dominance.
Embed from Getty Images
Max Verstappen Nears A Race Ban
Max Verstappen’s weekend was turbulent. He qualified P3 and had a lightning start to slot into P2, but that was as good as it got. Red Bull’s risky 3-stop strategy was undone by a late Safety Car, forcing Max onto hard tyres no one else dared to use.
A flurry of battles followed, and contact with George Russell. The stewards slapped Verstappen with a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, leaving him just one point away from a race ban. The reigning champ now walks a razor’s edge heading into Montreal.
Leclerc Lands A Top 3
Charles Leclerc fought his way from a P7 start to finish third, claiming his first-ever Spanish GP podium. A strong opening lap and a razor-sharp Safety Car restart helped him leapfrog Verstappen.
His teammate Lewis Hamilton had a contrasting story. After qualifying P5, he was overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg late in the race and finished P6. Post-race, a dejected Hamilton said there were “no positives” to take from the weekend.
The first podium in Spain for @Charles_Leclerc! 🤩🥉#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/oiEtNgOuK2
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Merc’s Bittersweet Weekend
George Russell had a quietly strong weekend, qualifying P4 and securing P4 in the race, surviving the Verstappen clash and banking valuable points. Rookie Kimi Antonelli wasn’t as lucky. An engine failure forced his retirement, marking the first time in triple-header history that a Mercedes driver failed to score points.
Sauber In The Top 5
Sauber shocked the paddock. Nico Hülkenberg, starting P15, carved his way through the field with some smart overtakes and Safety Car timing to finish P5, his best result since 2019. Teammate Bortoleto also impressed, showing glimpses of pace before fading late.
Two Sides Of The Home Race
For Spanish fans, it was a weekend of extremes. Carlos Sainz suffered a Q1 exit and could only recover to P14, yet another home race disappointment for Williams. Albon also had a disappointing weekend, contact when being overtaken resulted in front wing damage, forcing him to retire.
Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, gave the crowd something to cheer about. With daring late-race moves, he scored his first points of the season, offering a glimmer of hope for Aston Martin. Lance Stroll, still managing a wrist issue from 2023, withdrew before lights out, casting doubt on his home GP appearance in Canada.
Race Results
After all that drama… let's take a look at our top 🔟 in Spain! 🇪🇸⬇️#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/Ces37N1VtF
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Standings
How do things now stand… 🤔
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Here are the all-important drivers' standings to tell us! 📊#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/mhrV4bU2zu
Ferrari jump up to P2 in the standings!.. 📈
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
…And there's several other movements throughout the field 👀#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/vIzJ5asbvm
Next Race Weekend In Montreal
Oscar Piastri now leads the WDC by 10 points over his teammate, and both McLarens will be looking to extend their lead at the top
Max will need to keep his nose clean, as with just 1 more penalty point, he will be banned for a race.
Home Hero Lance Stroll is still doubtful to appear at his home race, which means one of Aston Martin’s reserves may get an opportunity to prove themselves.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Monaco GP: Norris Triumphs In The Principality
Lando Norris got his first ever win on the streets of Monaco, something he said is a “childhood dream come true”.
Lando Norris delivered a masterclass at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, securing a crucial win that reignites his title campaign. After a weekend that started on shaky footing, the McLaren driver produced what many are calling “the lap of a generation” to snatch pole position, smashing the all-time Monaco lap record in the process.
On race day, Norris maintained his lead off the line despite a bold challenge from local hero Charles Leclerc. From there, the Briton managed the race expertly until the closing stages, when an unconventional strategy by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen allowed Leclerc to close a previously six-second gap to within striking distance. At one point, the Ferrari was just 0.235 seconds behind, but Norris kept his cool and his lead.
With Verstappen finally pitting on the final lap, Norris had clear air to stretch his legs, setting the fastest lap of the race, nearly three seconds quicker than his pace while stuck behind the Red Bull. It was a statement win on one of Formula 1’s most prestigious stages.
Home Hero Just Misses Out on Repeat Glory
Charles Leclerc had high hopes of repeating his 2024 home triumph, especially after topping all three practice sessions. With Ferrari’s car well-suited to the unique demands of Monaco’s low-speed layout, expectations were sky-high. However, a second-place result in qualifying left him just shy of a clear view.
At lights out, Leclerc saw a glimmer of opportunity at Turn 1 but found the door closed by Norris. Despite closing the gap significantly late in the race, he ran out of laps to make a decisive move. It was a strong result, but not quite the fairytale finish the Monegasque fans were hoping for.
Embed from Getty ImagesVerstappen’s Gamble Falls Short
Max Verstappen’s P4 finish tells only part of his story. After being promoted to fourth on the grid following a penalty for Lewis Hamilton, the Dutchman found himself leading several laps thanks to an aggressive long-run strategy. Slowing the leaders and hoping for a red flag, Verstappen attempted to steal victory through race interruption, but the miracle never came.
Still, a decent haul of points helps keep him within range in the championship battle. Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda endured another torrid weekend. An early collision with Pierre Gasly dropped him to the back, and he eventually crossed the line in P17.
Racing Bulls Execute Perfect Team Strategy
Visa Cash App RB delivered a strategic masterpiece in Monaco. Rookie Isack Hadjar stunned the paddock with a career-best qualifying in P6, while teammate Liam Lawson lined up P9. In the race, Lawson played the ultimate team role, intentionally backing up the field to allow Hadjar a clean pit window and a shot at the front runners.
The result? P6 for Hadjar and P8 for Lawson, the pair’s best result in Formula 1 to date. Smart, calculated, and perfectly executed.
Williams Reaps Rewards for Tactical Play
Williams also benefited from strategic racing, with both cars finishing in the points, Alex Albon in P9 and Carlos Sainz in P10. In a move reminiscent of Racing Bulls, the team slowed the midfield train to manage tire life and track position. Mercedes was caught in this traffic jam, prompting an in-race apology text from Williams Team Principal James Vowles to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
The double points finish marked the team’s best Monaco result since 2005, a testament to the FW46’s growing consistency.
Mercedes Leave The Track Frustrated
Both the Mercedes Boys were involved in the Williams Train after a disappointing qualifying. In a hilarious event, George Russell overtook Alex Albon off track in the Nouvel Chicane. After sitting frustratedly behind a slow Williams for 70 laps, he received a Drive Through Penalty for the violation, and then, after the race, received a second Drive Through Penalty, which was added to his race time.
Antonelli had a similar scrappy weekend; a disappointing qualifying meant he was on the back foot. On Lap 1, he was embarrassingly done around the Hairpin section by the Sauber of Bortoleto, however, an attempt to overtake and regain his position ended badly for the Sauber after he was put into the wall.
A frustrating weekend in Monaco comes to an end.
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 25, 2025
A race defined by team strategy under the new mandatory two-stop rules. pic.twitter.com/ZU227wl1YC
Race Results
The points scorers 👏#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/wEMiY0YETX
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2025
Standings
DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER EIGHT ROUNDS
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2025
Piastri's lead cut to three points 🤏
Hadjar into the top 10 💪#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/7iSFmqu6yL
TEAM STANDINGS AFTER MONACO
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2025
We're a third of the way through the season…#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/lt9rGJBaEA
F1 Heads To Éspana: Spanish Grand Prix
Formula 1 now heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the final leg of the triple-header. With its mix of high-speed corners and technical sectors, the Spanish Grand Prix promises to be another stern test for both driver and machine.
Norris rides the momentum of a breakthrough win, while teammate Piastri will be eager to reassert his authority in the title fight. Don’t miss what’s shaping up to be a thrilling European summer.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Monaco Grand Prix: Formula One’s Crown Jewel
Formula 1 makes it’s stop at Monaco for the second race of the intense triple header.
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic and prestigious races in Formula 1. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Monte Carlo’s harbour and steep hillsides, this street circuit offers a thrilling blend of glamour, history, and high-stakes racing. The tight, twisty layout makes every lap a challenge, demanding absolute precision and focus from the drivers. With limited opportunities to overtake and no margin for error, success in Monaco isn’t just about speed, it’s about control, timing, and staying off the walls.
About The Track
The Circuit de Monaco is widely regarded as one of the most difficult tracks in Formula 1. It’s narrow, full of sharp corners, and features constant elevation changes. With virtually no long straights, it offers few chances for overtaking, making qualifying performance especially critical.
Drivers must navigate legendary sections like the Fairmont Hairpin, which is the tightest corner on the F1 calendar, the tunnel, and the high-speed Swimming Pool chicane. The track’s bumpy surface and unforgiving barriers leave no room for mistakes, testing the limits of both car and driver from start to finish.
(Credit – f1.com)
Pirelli’s Specifications
Precision, glamour, heritage. The #MonacoGP is more than just a race — it's the purest expression of @F1.
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) May 20, 2025
Discover what makes Monte Carlo truly unique from a tyre point of view.
👉 https://t.co/cJCnwjQy6P#Pirelli #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/gW5s15oBtn
For a second consecutive race, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds from the 2025 range. As in Imola last week, the C4 will be the Hard, the C5 the Medium and the C6 the Soft, with the first two being the mandatory compounds for the race.
This weekend will see an important change to the regulations, specifically for this event only. During the race, two pit stops will be mandatory.
The aim of the FIA and F1 is to inject more excitement into a race that has often been very linear and predictable, as was very much the case last year.
Stories This Weekend
Monaco Curse
Charles Leclerc broke his home race curse by finally winning in Monaco last year, but it’s been a rocky road. From crashes in qualifying to mechanical failures on race day, the streets of Monte Carlo have not been kind to the Monegasque driver in the past.
Although Ferrari’s current performance doesn’t seem to match the pace of McLaren or Red Bull, Leclerc will be aiming to make the most of his local knowledge and qualifying prowess to put himself in a strong position.
In honour of its 75-year partnership with Shell, Ferrari has also made subtle livery changes this weekend.
Max As A Title Contender
Fresh off a commanding win in Imola, Max Verstappen is back in the title hunt. The reigning champion has been steadily chipping away at McLaren’s lead in the standings. A strong qualifying performance in Monaco, ideally a front-row start, will be key to maximising his chances on Sunday.
While Verstappen skipped a private screening of the upcoming F1 Movie to focus on sim racing, his focus remains firmly on the track.
McLaren Special Livery
McLaren enters the Monaco weekend in strong form and will run a special livery, albeit with only slight changes to their signature papaya and black colour scheme. The team is targeting a front-row lockout in qualifying and looks poised to continue its run of strong performances.
F1 Movie Screening
A unique highlight ahead of the race weekend was a private screening of the upcoming F1 Movie starring Brad Pitt and produced by Lewis Hamilton. The film is expected to boost global interest in Formula 1. Most of the grid was in attendance, except for Verstappen, who chose to stay home for sim racing.
Lights. Camera. Action! 🎬 #F1TheMovie
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2025
Our drivers got to enjoy a private screening of @F1Movie in Monaco! 🍿#F1 pic.twitter.com/ffFaoTPnX4
Weekend Schedule
Weather Forecast
Friday: 23°C, Wind 13 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 25% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 11 km/h, 17% chance of rain.
The weather looks stable for the most part, allowing teams to collect consistent data throughout the sessions. If a surprise rain shower hits during qualifying or the race, it could shake up the grid in a big way.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
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