Mercedes is the biggest winner at Canadian GP despite losing to Max Verstappen

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton showed promising pace for Mercedes as the Silver Arrows try to end their win drought in F1.

Mercedes is the biggest winner at Canadian GP despite losing to Max Verstappen

George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton (images via IMAGO)

The Canadian GP was one of the most exciting races of the 2024 season. The entire weekend saw some big surprises including Mercedes’ resurgence to the front of the grid. Ultimately, Max Verstappen once again stood on the top step of the podium. Nevertheless, the Silver Arrows would not be leaving Montreal disappointed.

George Russell shocked the paddock as he clinched Mercedes’ first pole position of the season. The British driver had clocked identical lap time as Max Verstappen but did his lap before the Dutchman. In the race, Russell failed to match the reigning world champion and dropped down to third place after a promising start.

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On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton had a more difficult outing. The seven-time world champion even hinted that the race strategy might’ve sabotaged his prospects. Nevertheless, it would not be wrong to believe that Mercedes was the biggest winner at Canadian GP despite losing to Max Verstappen.

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George Russell and Lewis Hamilton back in the fight for race wins in F1

Mercedes has struggled throughout Formula 1’s ground-effect era. The Silver Arrows has failed to win a race since Russell’s triumph at the 2022 Brazilian GP. While Lewis Hamilton gone winless for the past two seasons. However, the Canadian GP showed that the Brackley-based team was finally on the right path to get back to winning ways.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

George Russell demonstrated incredible pace across the weekend. With Hamilton even topping the timesheets in free practice. Moreover, Russell managed to keep things clean at the start against Max Verstappen and retained his lead for the first few laps.

Ultimately, Mercedes lacked the pace of Red Bull and McLaren. As Max Verstappen and Lando Norris managed to get ahead of Russell. Although, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton put up an exciting battle at the ending stages of the race as the two drivers stayed clear of Oscar Piastri in fifth place.

It must be noted that Ferrari’s horrendous weekend did play a role in Mercedes’ result. However, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton proved that the W15 did have the pace in the right conditions. Subsequently, Toto Wolff‘s team would be looking to build upon this weekend and potentially end the team’s win drought in the coming races.

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