F1 Canadian Grand Prix RESULT: Race standings as Max Verstappen wins in Montreal

Max Verstappen completed another crushing performance to win the Canadian Grand Prix and match Ayrton Senna’s tally of 41 victories.

The Dutchman led every lap at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to draw level with Senna and extend his championship lead.

• READ: Red Bull mastermind Adrian Newey hints at retirement: ‘It’s on a countdown’

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished runner-up, with Lewis Hamilton third for Mercedes. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell retired on lap 55 of 70 following an earlier prang with the wall.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari, with Sergio Perez sixth. Alex Albon crossed the line a commendable seventh in his Williams. Verstappen, who notched up Red Bull’s 100th win in Formula One, now leads Perez by 69 points on his unstoppable march to a hat-trick of titles.

Follow live reaction from the Canadian Grand Prix with The Independent.

F1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX - UPDATES

• Max Verstappen wins the Canadian Grand Prix; Alonso 2nd; Hamilton 3rd

• Click HERE for the top-10 in Montreal

• LAP 55/70: George Russell retires due to brake damage

• LAP 23/70: Fernando Alonso lunges down the inside of Hamilton to take back second

• LAP 12/70: Russell hits the wall - safety car!

• LAP 1/70: Lewis Hamilton passes Fernando Alonso from the start

• COMMENT: Ferrari’s F1 flaws all the more baffling after shock success in Le Mans

• F1 commentator sacked from BBC role after ‘inappropriate touching'

FULL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

21:41 , Kieran Jackson

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

21:25 , Kieran Jackson

“To get a century of victories is an incredible achievement. 100 races is a lot - but 100 wins. That’s 24% of the races we’ve entered.

“We take it one step at a time. So many things can go wrong. There’s so many variables in this game. Max is driving out of his skin at the moment. Collectively, the group is doing a tremendous job.”

Time for the podium!

21:12 , Kieran Jackson

The usual combination of the Dutch and Austrian national anthem in Montreal!

Some revealing Lewis Hamilton quotes in the cool-down room!

21:06 , Kieran Jackson

“We suck in the lower-speed corners. You [Verstappen] destroy me there. In pretty much all the corners.

“Your rear-end is insane; and so is yours [Alonso].”

Lewis Hamilton after finishing P3:

21:02 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s been a great weekend for us, we’ve been slowly chipping away. Aston were ahead this weekend with the upgrades.

“Quite an honour to be up there with two world champions, excited to be third and in that mix. We didn’t have the pace today. We knew this wouldn’t be our strongest circuit, we struggle in the slower-speed corners.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do to add rear-downforce to the car. I do believe we’ll get there at some stage.”

Fernando Alonso, after finishing P2:

20:55 , Kieran Jackson

“We were hoping to challenge the Red Bull but we lost a position to Lewis. But I couldn’t rest, the Mercedes was pushing. It was tough, very demanding race. 70 laps of qualifying today.”

Max Verstappen, after his 41st win in Formula 1:

20:50 , Kieran Jackson

“Very happy. It was not a very straightforward race, the tyres were not getting in their window. We made it work - to win the 100th grand prix for the team is incredible.”

On No 100: “It’s amazing. I didn’t expect to be on those sort of numbers myself!”

Top-10 in the Canadian Grand Prix:

20:46 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) Charles Leclerc

5) Carlos Sainz

6) Sergio Perez

7) Alex Albon

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Lance Stroll

10) Valtteri Bottas

Lando Norris drops down to P13

20:43 , Kieran Jackson

The McLaren almost got Esteban Ocon on the final corner but missed out - and drops down to P13 with his five-second penalty! Tough one for Lando Norris to take!

Sergio Perez, by the way, DID claim the fastest-lap and took that point away from Lewis Hamilton.

Max Verstappen wins the Canadian Grand Prix!

20:39 , Kieran Jackson

Another peerless drive from the championship leader - Max Verstappen is triumphant in Montreal!

Fernando Alonso holds off Lewis Hamilton to take another superb podium for Aston Martin - and second for the Spaniard!

Third for Hamilton and Mercedes.

4-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Albon, Ocon, Norris (+5 secs), Stroll

Max Verstappen cruising to another win (Lap 69/70)

20:37 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has a nine-second lead heading into the final lap.

His Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez, pits to try and get the fastest-lap on soft tyres. Keeps sixth spot.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Albon, Ocon, Norris, Bottas

Fernando Alonso looks to be holding off Lewis Hamilton (Lap 68/70)

20:36 , Kieran Jackson

Alonso has increased his lead to three seconds, and he looks assured of P2 now.

Further down, Lando Norris in ninth is complaining about Esteban Ocon’s rear-wing which looks on the verge of falling off - it’s wobbling horribly!

A reminder: Norris has a five-second penalty, which would currently drop him down to P12 from P9.

Three laps to go...

Lewis Hamilton is eyeing up Fernando Alonso (Lap 63/70)

20:29 , Kieran Jackson

The gap between second and third is 1.9 seconds.

Alonso: “Copy, leave it to me.”

Could this be an intriguing race to the end... or do Aston Martin have enough?!

Max Verstappen’s lead, by the way, is 7.8 seconds. A 41st grand prix win beckons for the Dutchman.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Albon, Ocon, Bottas, Norris

Lewis Hamilton narrows gap to Alonso to two seconds (Lap 58/70)

20:24 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso is being told to “lift-and-coast” by the Aston Martin pit wall - and Lewis Hamilton is slowly but surely closing in!

Further down, Alex Albon is battling to maintain P7 - with a lengthy DRS train of Ocon, Bottas, Norris and Stroll forming behind him.

Can the Williams hold on?

George Russell retires! (Lap 55/70)

20:18 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell is being told to retire! They’re worried about front-left brakes!

The Mercedes man is out of this race!

“So sorry everyone. Nothing more to say.”

That’ll be because of the damage earlier in the race due to that damage. His second retirement of the season!

Lewis Hamilton cutting gap to Fernando Alonso (Lap 49/70)

20:12 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso goes off track at turn 3, so takes to the escape route onto the track - losing him 1.4 seconds!

Gap between Alonso and Hamilton: 3.2 seconds. Lewis Hamilton - on mediums compared to Alonso’s hards - has set the fastest lap of the race.

Alonso, incidentally, is 5.5 seconds behind Max Verstappen out in front.

4-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Albon, Russell, Ocon, Bottas

Fernando Alonso pits - and then so does Max Verstappen (Lap 43/70)

20:03 , Kieran Jackson

The domino effect! Fernando Alonso pits next, and Max Verstappen pits a lap later!

Verstappen rejoins in front still, 5.6 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Alonso is five seconds clear of Hamilton.

As you were...

Lewis Hamilton pits again (Lap 42/70)

20:01 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton pits for the second time - 2.7 seconds - and onto mediums!

He rejoins still in third. Can he, possibly, undercut Fernando Alonso or Max Verstappen?

This is all about rear tyre graining...

Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 41/70)

19:59 , Kieran Jackson

Leclerc is out in P4 - and he’s ahead of Sainz and Perez!

It’s worked out for the Ferraris!

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton told to use these tyres to the max! “I already am!’ he rebukes.

Carlos Sainz pits (Lap 40/70)

19:58 , Kieran Jackson

One Ferrari comes in - and he’s out in front of Albon and Perez! He’s in P5...

Sergio Perez pits (Lap 39/70)

19:58 , Kieran Jackson

The Red Bull pits - 2.3 seconds - and comes out in seventh place, behind the Williams of Alex Albon.

Oscar Piastri also pits again - and is down to P12!

But his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris has got a five-second time penalty for ‘unsportsmanlike behaviour’ - I think it’s for holding the pack up during the safety car period!

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Albon, Perez, Russell, Ocon, Bottas

George Russell up to P9 (Lap 38/70)

19:56 , Kieran Jackson

Courtesy of Ocon and Bottas pitting, George Russell is up to ninth!

Still a long way to go, mind...

Kevin Magnussen and Nyck de Vries both go off track (Lap 36/70)

19:54 , Kieran Jackson

The Haas and the AlphaTauri touched at turn 2, with George Russell passing both of them down the inside!

And then the pair both braked late and both went down the run-off area at turn 3!

Both reverse out of trouble - brief yellow flags but no safety car!

Russell has suddenly got himself up to P11 - after a crash!

Max Verstappen increases his lead... but is still not happy (Lap 32/70)

19:49 , Kieran Jackson

“I am just losing grip with this tyre now,” says Max Verstappen, over team radio.

“Yeah OK Max, I think we’ve got that message, head down for now,” replies Gianpiero Lambiase, his well-trusted race engineer!

Further down the pack, bit of a DRS train forming from P12 down - that’s Kevin Magnussen.

George Russell is now P17 - but only courtesy of Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg pitting again!

Max Verstappen is 3.5 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso (Lap 29/70)

19:46 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen with a comfortable lead - but he’s not overly satisfied!

“I have no grip on this tyre,” says Verstappen.

Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, sets a new fastest lap of the race. And his Aston is 2.5 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton!

4-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Ocon, Bottas, Norris, Piastri

A lot of confusion at Ferrari from their drivers. Why did they not pit? And when will they now pit?!

Fernando Alonso passes Lewis Hamilton (Lap 23/70)

19:38 , Kieran Jackson

The old McLaren team-mates going right at it!

Fernando Alonso gets close enough with DRS on the final straight to go for a move, and he lunges down the inside - Lewis Hamilton is powerless!

Alonso up to P2!

Good timing: no further action for unsafe release for Lewis Hamilton.

Max Verstappen pulls two seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton (Lap 21/70)

19:36 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen, unsurprisingly, already has a healthy lead - while Fernando Alonso is within one second of Lewis Hamilton in second!

Behind the top-three, both Ferraris are battling for position - but both need to pit!

6-10: Perez (yet to pit), Ocon, Bottas, Norris, Magnussen

Lando Norris smoothly up to P9 with a brave overtake on Kevin Magnussen, around the outside of turn 1!

Max Verstappen gets away well after safety car (Lap 18/70)

19:30 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen only accelerates after the last chicane - and we’re back racing!

The whole pack get away smoothly, no incidents after one lap of action again.

Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Magnussen, Bottas, Ocon, Norris

George Russell still down in 19th...

Safety car period ending (Lap 16/70)

19:28 , Kieran Jackson

Safety car is coming in at the end of this lap...

Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Magnussen, Bottas, Ocon, Piastri

Both Ferraris and Sergio Perez did not pit!

Lewis Hamilton almost collides with Fernando Alonso in the pit lane (Lap 13/70)

19:23 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen, Hamilton and Alonso all pit... and Hamilton only JUST gets out in front of the Aston Martin!

“I had to brake in the pits,” says Alonso. Could that be looked at for an unsafe release?!

George Russell does manage to get back to the pits - but he’s now in last place after a lengthy pit stop! A simple driver error caused that!

The pack bunches up... we had a safety car due to the debris out on track caused by Russell’s crash.

George Russell hits the wall!

19:21 , Kieran Jackson

Full safety car!

George Russell has hit the wall and his right-tyres look battered! Can he limp home?!

All the frontrunners pit!

Max Verstappen now 3.4 seconds clear of the pack!

19:19 , Kieran Jackson

VSC period was rapid and Max Verstappen got away speedily from Lewis Hamilton behind him - the gap is now 3.9 seconds.

But he might be having other issues?! “I think I hit a bird,” says Verstappen! No damage it seems.

The battle for second is much more interesting though, with Alonso within DRS range of Hamilton and Russell likewise to the Spaniard!

Virtual safety car! (Lap 8/70)

19:14 , Kieran Jackson

Logan Sargeant has been told to stop his Williams!

He stops off the track in sector 2, and the VSC is introduced! Race neutralised!

Sargeant is out - and so is his 100% finish record in 2023!

Fernando Alonso now right on the tail of Lewis Hamilton (Lap 7/70)

19:12 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin is now within DRS range of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in second, who is now two seconds behind leader Max Verstappen.

George Russell struggling to keep on the back of Alonso. Further down, Charles Leclerc is up to P9 but Lando Norris is keeping the Ferrari behind him for now!

Max Verstappen’s lead already over a second! (Lap 4/70)

19:10 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen’s gap to Hamilton is 1.1 seconds, but the Mercedes is keeping within touching distance of the Red Bull!

Further back, Kevin Magnussen had to take action to avoid going into the wall at the end of the main straight, with Perez and Sainz vying for position!

And Fernando Alonso touches the wall at turn 4! But his Aston Martin seems OK...

Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Albon

Lewis Hamilton cruises past Fernando Alonso from the start!

19:05 , Kieran Jackson

It’s lights out at the Canadian Grand Prix - and Lewis Hamilton smoothly past Fernando Alonso going into turn 1!

Hamilton much quicker off the start!

Max Verstappen keeps first place, while Alonso holds off George Russell behind him!

Formation lap!

19:01 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen leads the 20 cars around the track for the formation lap.

The top-11 are all on medium tyres; Sergio Perez looking to go long on the hards.

Pierre Gasly the only car on soft tyres...

A reminder of the starting grid for the Canadian Grand Prix:

18:58 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) George Russell

5) Nico Hulkenberg*

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lando Norris

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Alex Albon

10) Charles Leclerc

11) Carlos Sainz*

12) Sergio Perez

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Pierre Gasly

16) Lance Stroll*

17) Nyck de Vries

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Yuki Tsunoda*

20) Zhou Guanyu

*Nico Hulkenberg received a three-place grid drop due to a red-flag infringement. Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda received three-place grid drops due to impeding drivers in qualifying.

Canadian Grand Prix incoming!

18:56 , Kieran Jackson

We’re just moments away from lights out in Montreal!

Canadian Grand Prix odds!

18:53 , Kieran Jackson

Fancy a flutter?

Canadian GP winner

Max Verstappen 1/4

Fernando Alonso 11/2

Lewis Hamilton 15/2

George Russell 20/1

Sergio Perez 40/1

Charles Leclerc 70/1

Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg 100/1

Lance Stroll 225/1

Logan Sargeant, Nyck de Vries, Oscar Piastri, Kevin Magnussen, Guanyu Zhou, Valtteri Bottas, Alex Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly 500/1

Specials:

Both Ferrari Cars to Finish in the Top 6 11/10

Max Verstappen to Win the Race & Lewis Hamilton to Finish on the Podium 11/10

Lewis Hamilton, George Russell or Fernando Alonso to Win the Race 12/5

Max Verstappen to Win the Race and the Winning Distance to be Under 5 seconds 4/1

Lewis Hamilton to Win the Race & Fernando Alonso to Finish on the Podium 10/1

Max Verstappen to Win the Race & Carlos Sainz to Finish on the Podium 10/1

Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc & Lewis Hamilton all to Finish on the Podium 22/1

Carlos Sainz to Win the Race & Sergio Perez to Finish on the Podium 250/1

Odds provided by Betway

Max Verstappen, who is on pole:

18:49 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a good day, today is very different. It’s very low grip, there’ll be a lot more rubber on the track which will influence the race.”

Mercedes chief James Alisson

18:47 , Kieran Jackson

“I don’t know it’ll be particularly electrifying, but it should be a decent race. Probably more with Fernando than with Max.

“It’s all about the fight!”

Gordon Ramsey present in Montreal!

18:45 , Kieran Jackson

The chef is known to be a big Formula 1 fan! He’s a regular at many races...

Charles Leclerc’s car being heavily worked on

18:43 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc - who starts P10 this evening - has his car up on effective stilts on the grid!

The floor of the car being heavily worked on...

Fred Vasseur: “Damaged the plank on the kerb and we are changing it.”

Driver Standings ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix!

18:39 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 170 points

2) Sergio Perez - 117 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 99 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 87 points

5) George Russell - 65 points

6) Carlos Sainz - 58 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 42 points

8) Lance Stroll - 35 points

9) Esteban Ocon - 25 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 15 points

11) Lando Norris - 12 points

12) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

13) Oscar Piastri - 5 points

14) Valtteri Bottas - 4 points

15) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

17) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

18) Alex Albon - 1 point

19) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

The cars have gone round for their reconnaissance laps!

18:32 , Kieran Jackson

Conditions in Montreal? Unlike yesterday, dry.

Even a hint of sun on the grid!

Perfect for the frontrunners...

Lance Stroll starts P16...

18:29 , Kieran Jackson

How about this for a top-3 on the grid?

18:24 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen P1; Alonso P2; Hamilton P3.

Bit of a change at turn 1/2 overnight...

18:19 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari’s F1 flaws all the more baffling after shock success at Le Mans

18:14 , Kieran Jackson

Comment by Kieran Jackson

Seven races into the Formula 1 season and the moment has finally arrived. You can only bypass the trials and tribulations for so long before the tomfoolery of the sport’s most prestigious team must be dissected, head on.

It’s time to talk about Ferrari.

To say the 2023 campaign thus far has been underwhelming for the Scuderia would be in itself an understatement. Zero wins. Only one podium – in Baku – and even that was from a pole position start. Last time out in Barcelona, Charles Leclerc qualified a dismal 19^th, failing to recover to a points-finish on Sunday. Carlos Sainz qualified second but could only manage fourth on raceday.

Yet what makes Ferrari’s current infamy in motorsport’s most famous competition more baffling is their display in motorsport’s most famous endurance race.

Full piece below:

Ferrari’s F1 flaws all the more baffling after shock success at Le Mans

Charles Leclerc after missing out on Q3:

18:08 , Kieran Jackson

“We’re not making our life any easier. We will again discuss with the team, we need to do a step forward but it’s not the first time it happens - we often make the

“I had a clear opinion, we went for something opposite, it’s difficult to accept it first. From that moment onwards, it slips away from us. We are just making our life way too difficult.

“I said what I thought. I can’t argue for a whole lap. I did say what I wanted.

“I will manage it myself internally and I don’t want to tell what will happen. There will be an analysis, we’ll come stronger for it but it’s not the first time. Again, a very difficult Saturday. We’re coming into the Sunday with a very difficult thing to do, starting P11 is not easy to come back.

“I’m very frustrated.”

F1 starting grid for the Canadian Grand Prix:

17:58 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) George Russell

5) Nico Hulkenberg*

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lando Norris

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Alex Albon

10) Charles Leclerc

11) Carlos Sainz*

12) Sergio Perez

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Pierre Gasly

16) Lance Stroll*

17) Nyck de Vries

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Yuki Tsunoda*

20) Zhou Guanyu

*Nico Hulkenberg received a three-place grid drop due to a red-flag infringement. Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda received three-place grid drops due to impeding drivers in qualifying.

Sergio Perez ‘under threat’ at Red Bull with young star tipped to replace him

17:44 , Kieran Jackson

Johnny Herbert believes Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull could be ‘under threat’ after a couple of poor performances – and has backed Lando Norris to replace him.

After winning two of the opening four races, in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Perez has struggled in comparison to runaway team-mate Max Verstappen.

In Miami, he failed to hold on to first place with Verstappen hauling him in, while the Mexican had weekends to forget in Monaco and Spain where he finished 16^th and fourth respectively. It means Perez now trails Verstappen by 59 points in the championship.

See Herbert’s full quotes below:

Sergio Perez ‘under threat’ at Red Bull with young star tipped to replace him

Constructors’ Standings ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix!

17:32 , Kieran Jackson

1) Red Bull - 287 points

2) Mercedes - 152 points

3) Aston Martin - 134 points

4) Ferrari - 100 points

5) Alpine - 40 points

6) McLaren - 17 points

7) Haas - 8 points

8) Alfa Romeo - 8 points

9) AlphaTauri - 2 points

10) Williams - 1 point

F1 commentator sacked from BBC role after ‘inappropriate touching’

17:16 , Kieran Jackson

F1 commentator Jack Nicholls has lost his job at BBC Radio 5 Live after complaints of “inappropriate touching” which led to his dismissal from his lead commentator role with Formula E.

An investigation was launched by Formula E after a formal complaint of inappropriate behaviour in March and allegations of “inappropriate touching” were made by three individuals, one of whom had been in a relationship with the commentator.

Now Nicholls, who combined his role with Formula E alongside commentating on F1 races for 5 Live, has also lost his job with IMG, who provide radio F1 coverage for the BBC.

Full story below:

F1 commentator sacked from BBC role after ‘inappropriate touching’

Driver Standings ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix!

17:01 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 170 points

2) Sergio Perez - 117 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 99 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 87 points

5) George Russell - 65 points

6) Carlos Sainz - 58 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 42 points

8) Lance Stroll - 35 points

9) Esteban Ocon - 25 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 15 points

11) Lando Norris - 12 points

12) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

13) Oscar Piastri - 5 points

14) Valtteri Bottas - 4 points

15) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

17) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

18) Alex Albon - 1 point

19) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

Ferrari’s F1 flaws all the more baffling after shock success at Le Mans

16:44 , Kieran Jackson

Comment by Kieran Jackson

Seven races into the Formula 1 season and the moment has finally arrived. You can only bypass the trials and tribulations for so long before the tomfoolery of the sport’s most prestigious team must be dissected, head on.

It’s time to talk about Ferrari.

To say the 2023 campaign thus far has been underwhelming for the Scuderia would be in itself an understatement. Zero wins. Only one podium – in Baku – and even that was from a pole position start. Last time out in Barcelona, Charles Leclerc qualified a dismal 19^th, failing to recover to a points-finish on Sunday. Carlos Sainz qualified second but could only manage fourth on raceday.

Yet what makes Ferrari’s current infamy in motorsport’s most famous competition more baffling is their display in motorsport’s most famous endurance race.

Full piece below:

Ferrari’s F1 flaws all the more baffling after shock success at Le Mans

Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying fourth on Saturday:

16:38 , Kieran Jackson

“Good result. Most people underestimate just how hard it was out there for everybody, hard to keep the car on track. Hopefully from there we can move forwards.

“We should be in a much better position [tomorrow]. We’re ahead of the Ferraris, Max will be gone most likely. If I can hold on to Alonso and give him hell, that’s what we’ll do!”

F1 starting grid for the Canadian Grand Prix:

16:31 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) George Russell

5) Nico Hulkenberg*

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lando Norris

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Alex Albon

10) Charles Leclerc

11) Carlos Sainz*

12) Sergio Perez

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Pierre Gasly

16) Lance Stroll*

17) Nyck de Vries

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Yuki Tsunoda*

20) Zhou Guanyu

*Nico Hulkenberg received a three-place grid drop due to a red-flag infringement. Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda received three-place grid drops due to impeding drivers in qualifying.

Max Verstappen claims pole for Canadian Grand Prix

16:28 , Kieran Jackson

Qualifying report:

Nico Hulkenberg took advantage of the sodden track to take second spot for Haas, 1.2 seconds behind Verstappen, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third.

Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth, one spot ahead of George Russell in the other Mercedes, while Lando Norris claimed seventh for McLaren.

Yet Hulkenberg has been demoted three places due to a red-flag infringement, meaning Alonso will line up on the front row.

Verstappen has been in a class of one this year and the Red Bull man kept his composure in changeable conditions to take an impressive pole.

Full report below:

Max Verstappen claims pole position with shock front row partner for Canadian GP

F1 Canadian Grand Prix LIVE

16:23 , Kieran Jackson

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Canadian Grand Prix with The Independent!

Max Verstappen claimed pole in an entertaining qualifying session in the wet yesterday. Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg was a surprise name alongside him on the front row before a red-flag infringement saw the German drop three places to fifth.

Instead, Fernando Alonso will start alongside Verstappen - with the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell behind the leading duo.

We’ll have all the build-up and updates from Montreal right here - the race starts at 7pm (BST)!