With another impressive P1 finish in Montreal, Verstappen widened his lead over teammate Sergio Perez to 69 points in the World Championship standings, securing his sixth win of the season.

The win held special significance for Red Bull as it marked a significant milestone in the team’s history since entering Formula 1 in 2005.

Verstappen, who has played a crucial role in the team’s success, light-heartedly mentioned his contribution to the victory tally.

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“I’ve won 41 of them! We’ll talk about maybe a new contract because of that!” Verstappen jokingly quipped to the media during the post-race interviews in Canada. 

Despite the playful banter, Verstappen expressed genuine satisfaction with the team’s achievement, acknowledging the collective effort behind the milestone.

“No, honestly, it’s a great achievement for the team. We knew that this was the first opportunity, of course, to do so, and I’m happy that’s done,” Verstappen added.

While celebrating the team’s remarkable achievement, Verstappen also shared his aspirations for even greater success in the future. 

Eager to continue their winning streak, he set his sights on surpassing the 100-win mark and reaching new heights with Red Bull.

READ: Max Verstappen suggests Red Bull’s rivals should be concerned

“We’ve won 100. But again, I hope we win more than 100,” Verstappen stated with determination. “So the new target is 200.”

Verstappen’s commanding lead in the championship standings and his exceptional performances on the track have solidified his status as a top contender. 

With his sights set on securing his third World Championship title, the Dutch driver clearly remains focused and determined to propel Red Bull to further success.

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The Montreal race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve witnessed an astounding attendance of 345,000 fans, marking a record-breaking number for the event. 

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the devoted audience witnessed Max Verstappen’s triumphant sixth victory of the season, which also marked Red Bull’s 100th win in the team’s history.

Briatore provided race commentary for Il Riformista and credited the electrifying atmosphere to the enthusiastic crowd. 

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Reflecting on the audience, he stated: “The outline of the race was animated by a large crowd. 

“To all the spectators who go to the grand prizes, especially those who participate all weekend, we should recognise that they are heroes.”

The inclement weather posed a significant challenge, with heavy rain engulfing the circuit. 

However, the unwavering determination of the spectators stood out as they endured the downpour. 

Briatore commended their dedication, saying: “They resisted under the Canadian flood; it’s not like it was drizzling—hurricanes came down.

“And staying there for seven to eight hours in the pouring rain, in the cold, without a place to shelter from the weather is truly commendable. 

“So the Formula 1 fans are good; they are truly unique.”

The endurance and passion displayed by the Canadian Grand Prix spectators underscored their unwavering commitment to the sport. 

READ: Christian Horner breaks silence on Sergio Perez sacking threat

Despite the adverse conditions, the record-breaking attendance highlighted their enthusiasm for witnessing high-speed thrills and iconic moments in Formula 1.

The collective experience of witnessing Verstappen’s victory and witnessing Red Bull’s milestone achievement was elevated by the fans’ resilience. 

Their steadfast support brought the race to life and added an unparalleled atmosphere to the event.

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During the middle portion of the race, the reigning champion collided with a bird. Fortunately, Verstappen sustained only minor cosmetic damage to his car and was able to continue without any major issues. 

Later in the race, he forcefully bounced over the kerbs at the same chicane that had claimed parts of George Russell’s car earlier. 

Despite the impact, Verstappen managed to carry on without significant consequences, joking over the team radio that he nearly knocked himself out during the excursion. 

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Marko attributed the error to overconfidence, which is understandable considering Verstappen’s dominance in recent races.

The Dutchman has led over 220 consecutive laps in the last few races, fuelling his pursuit of a third consecutive world title. 

Marko revealed an interesting detail about Verstappen’s race strategy, mentioning that the driver often watches himself on TV during the race. 

This ability to assess his own performance in real-time speaks to Verstappen’s remarkable thinking capacity and extraordinary situational awareness.

“Max himself also had two moments,” Marko acknowledged. 

READ: Fernando Alonso told Max Verstappen ‘would have him’

“First, he hit a bird. Unfortunately, it didn’t end well for the bird, but luckily, we didn’t suffer any significant damage in terms of cooling or other aspects. 

“The second incident was due to his overconfidence with the kerbs. I don’t know if he saw it himself on TV, as he often does with various incidents. It demonstrates the remarkable mental capacity he possesses. 

“His ability to assess the moment and move on is truly exceptional.”

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Following a slow start that saw him lose ground to Hamilton in the opening corner, Alonso found himself engaged in a high-stakes drag race with George Russell towards Turn 3. 

Eventually overtaking the seven-time world champion on Lap 22, Alonso aimed to set his sights on race leader Max Verstappen. 

However, his aspirations were hindered by a suspected brake issue.

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At one point during the race, Alonso received the information that Hamilton was closing in, just 1.9 seconds behind. 

In response, the determined Spaniard swiftly increased the gap, leaving no room for his rival to make a move.

After crossing the finish line, Alonso expressed his enjoyment of the battle. 

Grinning, he stated: “The last driver you want to see in your mirrors is Lewis Hamilton when he comes fast. 

“But I had a little bit more pace in hand, and in the end, he was never in the DRS gap, so it was good to finish second. 

“It was like 70 laps of qualifying today. There was no time to rest, and I loved it.”

When asked if he believed that, had it not been for his poor start, he could have challenged Verstappen for the win, Alonso replied: “It was close… the closest I think. 

“I believe it was our most competitive race of the year in terms of pace. 

“We were matching the Red Bulls for most of the race. 

“Sometimes we lost a little bit of pace, but at one point, I thought the race was over and second place was good. Then I saw Lewis coming so fast.”

Regarding the suspected brake issue, Alonso downplayed its impact on the race result, stating that he didn’t believe it had a significant effect. 

READ: Max Verstappen to be handed blow over Dutch GP

He explained that at this circuit, sacrificing a bit on entry to optimise corner exits was a strategic approach they discussed before the race.

Alonso also addressed the tire strategy employed by Aston Martin, dismissing claims that they made a wrong decision. 

He clarified that due to limited practice on Friday, tire allocation was based on guesswork, and they were content with their choice of using the hard compound. The extended stints with the hard tires worked well for their car.

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The penalty was imposed due to an incident that occurred during the early safety car period following debris from George Russell’s car colliding with a wall. 

As McLaren opted to “double-stack” their cars in the pit lane to ensure equal time loss for both drivers, Norris was deemed to have slowed down the pack behind him excessively.

Speaking to Sky’s Rachel Brookes after the race, the British driver conveyed his confusion regarding the penalty and maintained that he had simply followed a strategy similar to what most other drivers would do in such circumstances.

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“The objective was to maintain the temperature in the tyres,” Norris explained. 

“Drivers typically leave gaps and create openings. 

“It wasn’t as if I was ten seconds behind my target time. 

“If the penalty was due to the difference in delta, then many drivers should have been penalised over the past three or four years.”

“So, I’m a bit puzzled. There’s nothing I can do,” Norris added.

READ: Lewis Hamilton agrees with Fernando Alonso with ‘no need’ remark

“I slowed down to warm up the tyres a bit, and as soon as I was instructed to box, I pushed and tried to go as fast as I could.”

Unfortunately, it proved to be an unrewarding day for McLaren as Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, could only secure 11th place. 

The team currently occupies sixth position in the constructors’ championship and finds themselves 27 points behind their main rivals, Alpine.

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While publicly described as an updated floor and a new engine cover, the true extent of the improvements was underestimated, according to F1 tech expert Sam Collins.

Teams are required to inform the FIA of any significant upgrades before each race weekend, with a document shared with the media detailing the changes. 

Aston Martin’s listing of upgrades appeared somewhat modest, mentioning the engine cover but neglecting to mention the extensive modifications to the sidepods, floor edges, and rear of the car that were evident when the cars were unveiled.

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Throughout the season, Aston Martin’s approach to upgrades had been one of evolution rather than revolution. 

However, their strategy shifted significantly in Canada, as they aimed to close the gap to Red Bull and establish themselves as the leading team in the “best of the rest” category.

Collins, analysing the upgraded AMR23 in detail, uncovered more than what met the eye. 

Aston Martin had made substantial changes to the shape of the sidepods, particularly noticeable at the base, as well as introducing a new floor. 

Collins pointed out that certain exciting aspects of the floor, hidden from view when the car is on the ground, required the intervention of a crane to be observed.

Drawing comparisons between Aston Martin and Ferrari, Collins highlighted the distinctive deep scalloping and raised centre section of the bodywork seen in both cars. 

“Well, Aston Martin has been a little bit cheeky, perhaps, because they listed the upgrades and they sort of said: ‘We’ve got a new engine cover’, but didn’t go into great detail, talking about how much of the sidepod shape has really changed on this car because I think it goes a lot further than the engine cover itself,” Collins said.

“What I really want to draw your attention to actually is the shape on the base of the sidepod – that’s something that’s really dramatically different,” he elaborated.

READ: Aston Martin bring major upgrade package to 2023 Canada GP

“Aston Martin has done a huge amount of work here. They’ve introduced a completely new floor as well but, as we saw in Monaco, really exciting bits of the floor you can’t see with the car on the ground.

“A driver has to induce a crane intervention to let us see what’s going on underneath it, and I don’t think either driver wants to do that!”

This design approach diverged from the class-leading Red Bull concept, indicating that teams are exploring different engineering concepts to find their way forward.

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With numerous memories at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve throughout his F1 career, Alonso’s most recent highlight came from securing a front-row grid slot in the 2022 race.

Following a challenging performance by Aston Martin in the previous Spanish Grand Prix, Alonso feels prepared to tackle the circuit in Montreal. 

Reflecting on the team’s recent races, he stated: “We had a busy double header with Monaco and Spain and came away with 32 points as a team.”

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Alonso also highlighted the fantastic atmosphere in Spain but admitted that the team faced difficulties during Saturday’s qualifying session, leading to a lack of pace on race day.

Looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, a track with significant historical significance in Formula 1, Alonso expressed fond memories of his past experiences.

Recalling last year’s race, he mentioned his second-place starting position after a chaotic and wet qualifying session. 

Aware of the unpredictable weather conditions, Alonso acknowledged, “It might rain again this weekend, so we will be keeping one eye on the radar.”

The Spanish driver emphasised his preparedness for any situation in the eighth round of the 2023 calendar. Acknowledging the challenging nature of overtaking on the circuit, he also highlighted the potential for surprising and thrilling races. 

READ: Will Ferrari fire Frederic Vasseur?

Alonso added: “The circuit is fun, and while overtaking can be difficult, it can also throw up surprising races, so we will be prepared for anything.”

As the team introduces upgrades for the upcoming race, Alonso’s objective is to have a smooth weekend and maximize their points tally.

With his vast experience and determination, the two-time World Champion remains eager to make the most of the opportunities presented at the Canadian Grand Prix.

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With a perfect record of seven victories in seven races this season, the team’s dominance shows no signs of waning. 

However, Verstappen maintains a focused and pragmatic approach, dismissing any superstitions or distractions related to milestone achievements.

When asked about the significance of Red Bull’s 100th win, Verstappen stated: “I never think about those things. 

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“I’m not superstitious, I really don’t care about those things. 

“I would probably walk under a ladder. I really don’t care about these things.”

Verstappen emphasized the importance of simplicity and concentrating on their work to make the car faster. He acknowledged that while there may be challenging weekends ahead, they are unrelated to specific numerical achievements.

If Red Bull achieves their 100th grand prix win this weekend, they will join the exclusive group of only five Formula 1 constructors to secure double-digit race victories. 

However, they still have a long way to go to match Ferrari’s record of 242 wins.

Verstappen himself could reach a personal milestone, as he is just one race win away from matching Ayrton Senna’s tally of 41 grand prix victories. 

This would put him on par with the legendary Brazilian driver in fifth place on the all-time list.

When asked about Red Bull’s rivals struggling to catch up, Verstappen attributed their success to a strong winter and the exceptional performance of their car. 

He acknowledged that teams work tirelessly to improve and catch up but emphasized Red Bull’s commitment to constant development.

Although Verstappen may reach Senna’s milestone in Montreal, he still has a long way to go to break the all-time record held by Lewis Hamilton, who has 103 wins to his name. 

Verstappen’s next target after Senna will be Alain Prost, who sits in fourth place with 51 victories.

Hamilton commented on the possibility of Verstappen surpassing his record in the future, acknowledging that records are meant to be broken. He recognized Verstappen’s talent and expressed his desire for more competitive racing before the end of his own career.

READ: Daniel Ricciardo compares Oscar Piastri to Lando Norris

“He’s got a very long career ahead of him so absolutely,” he said. 

“Ultimately, records are there to be broken. And he’s got an amazing team.

“We’ve got to work harder to try and continue to extend it. I hope we get to have some… at least within the last period of time in my career, I hope we get to have some more close racing.”

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However, he believes that the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, with its slower corners, will be a more favorable venue for the team.

Sainz explained that the team’s struggle goes beyond tire degradation and points to a deeper issue with their race pace. 

“Honestly, my analysis or the team’s analysis is that we just lack race pace at the moment,” he said. 

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Ferrari aims to develop a car that is kinder to its tires, more consistent with its aerodynamics, and allows the drivers to push the car to its limit throughout the race.

Despite the challenges, Sainz emphasized that the team is making continuous efforts to address the issues. 

They have been trying various approaches each weekend, experimenting with different components such as tires, suspension, and aerodynamics. 

Sainz remains confident that the team will eventually identify and resolve the root cause of their performance struggles.

Ferrari’s last victory dates back to July of the previous year, and Sainz acknowledged that the team is frustrated but also motivated to turn things around. 

He recognized that the current situation is an amplification of a trend that started toward the end of the 2022 season. 

The SF-23 car has presented a more pronounced challenge, and even though they could secure pole positions last year, they would often fall behind Red Bull in race performance.

While Ferrari introduced a significant upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix, the expected improvement did not materialize. 

Sainz attributed this partly to the characteristics of the Circuit de Catalunya. 

He expressed optimism that the Canadian Grand Prix, with its slower corners, will provide a better opportunity for the team to showcase their progress.

Sainz highlighted the positive performance of the car in low-speed corners in previous races, such as Monaco and Australia. 

He also mentioned that Baku was an off weekend, suggesting there might have been an issue with the car’s performance. 

READ: Lando Norris comments on McLaren poaching from Red Bull

With the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve known for its lower speeds, Sainz is hopeful that the new package introduced by Ferrari will aid their performance in Canada.

The Spanish driver remains optimistic about the team’s prospects and appreciates the determination within the factory to rectify the situation. 

Sainz acknowledged that the Spanish Grand Prix was always going to be a challenging race but stressed the importance of trying out new components and learning from the experience.

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Having returned to his old team Red Bull this year as a reserve driver, the Australian has enjoyed an emotional reunion with the car that delivered his first victory in Formula 1.

The 33-year-old recorded his maiden win almost nine years ago at the Canadian Grand Prix, driving the R10 to victory ahead of the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel.

Despite only qualifying in P6 that day, much to Ricciardo’s annoyance, the Australian managed to power through the grid to take victory at the chequered flag – four seconds clear of his nearest rival.

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“I loved this car,” Ricciardo told Red Bull’s YouTube channel after being reunited with the RB10 at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes. 

“First one [victory in F1]. 2014, so this was Montreal, Budapest and Spa.

“First year with the team, this car changed my career. I remember Canada, I remember everything. I remember the briefing after qualifying that night.

“I was p****d – with myself more than anything – nothing was really going that well for me on that Saturday. And then the next day was pretty awesome.

“All that stuff, all the things that made me upset about the qualifying that day was just because I believed that I belonged further up the front.

“It just fuelled me for the next day, but it was a positive anger. It’s all well and good saying something and looking at yourself in the mirror and believing it but you still have to do it to prove it and crossing the line it was ‘Ah okay, I can do this’.

“On the podium. It was like an image I had seen before. You picture your first win, you picture being up there hearing your [national] anthem and seeing the crowd of people.

“I remember getting up on the top step and looking down and it was actually what I pictured. It was all as I thought it would be. 

“This was the car that gave the confidence and reputation of late breaking and some pretty cool moves.”

READ: Ex-F1 driver reacts to Daniel Ricciardo seat fitting amid Nyck de Vries replacement rumours

While Ricciardo would go on to enjoy two more victories in the 2014 season, he ended the season in P3, almost 150 points behind the eventual title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Ricciardo’s strength behind the wheel was clear as he outscored four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel that season, as the German ended in P5 with just 167 points.

Ricciardo would remain at Red Bull until 2019 when he joined Renault, racing with the team for two seasons before his ill-fated move to McLaren.

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