While a safety car paved the way for a late-race crescendo in the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend, Max Verstappen again took charge to claim his sixth victory of the 2022 Formula 1 season and further strengthen his title defence.
Currently operating in white-hot form, Verstappen now sits some 46 points clear at the top of the standings over Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, while Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc is a further three points in arrears.
That healthy championship advantage has been boosted by the recent Ferrari unreliability implosion. Leclerc endured the latest consequences of the Scuderia’s fragility at Montreal as he took on new power unit components to be sent marching towards the back of the grid.
That meant it was left mainly to Carlos Sainz - still in pursuit of his first top-flight triumph - to take the challenge to Verstappen.