Verstappen holds off Sainz to win Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to his sixth Formula One win of the season after holding off a late challenge from Carlos Sainz Jr. and pulling away in a fairly easy Sunday drive in the Canadian Grand Prix.

Verstappen started from pole position at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the Dutchman had no trouble clearing Fernando Alonso, who earned his first front-row start in a decade then joked he'd attack Verstappen in the first turn to steal the victory.

But there was no challenge and by the time Sainz cleared Alonso for second on Lap 2, Verstappen had already built a lead of 2.4 seconds in his Red Bull. Sainz was able to close the gap over the final 10 laps and pressured the reigning Formula One champion but faded on the last lap and finished .993 seconds behind in the Ferrari.

“That was amazing,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner radioed Verstappen. “Withstood all the pressure, brilliant, brilliant drive.”

Mercedes had a tremendous rebound from its season-long struggles, which included a terrible Friday practice, as seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton scored his first podium since the season-opening race in March. George Russell was fourth as Hamilton beat his new teammate for just the second time in nine races this season.

“Great, great effort guys, thank you so much,” Hamilton radioed. “The car was a little bit better today. Let's keep pushing.”

Hamilton received a rousing ovation after his finish and said he had no problems with his back. which has been plaguing him all season because of how the new Mercedes bounces all over the track.

“It's good, I'm back to being young,” said the 37-year-old.

Verstappen, meanwhile, has now won six of the first nine races in his title defense season.

It was Verstappen's best finish