Formula 1’s three most successful active drivers were full of praise for each other after sharing the podium places in Canada.
Max Verstappen claimed the 41st victory of his career and was flanked on the podium by fellow two-times champion Fernando Alonso, winner of 32 races, and Lewis Hamilton, F1’s most successful driver of all time with seven titles and 103 wins.While Verstappen led the 70-lap grand prix from start to finish, Alonso and Hamilton gave pursuit, the pair swapping places on the first lap and again later in the race. All three declared themselves satisfied with their race-long scrap.
“It’s good, it’s great, I really enjoy these battles and these podiums,” said Alonso. “It happened in Australia I think last time and now here and there is a lot of respect, a lot of talent.
“When you fight against Max, Lewis, you know that you cannot make a mistake because they will take advantage of that and they will not make a mistake. So if you want to beat them, you need to be tenth after tenth faster to close that gap.”
Alonso said they had “a very intense battle, very fair, very respectful.” Hamilton passed him at the start but Alonso was able to reclaim the position later in the race.
“The overtaking possibility that we had on the DRS for me when I passed Lewis, you know that you can trust what he’s doing, he will defend hard but within the limits. Same at the start, I guess, when you’re starting on the first two rows with these guys, you know there is a sense of awareness and respect that is not sometimes in other parts.”
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Lewis Hamilton said the trio make “quite an iconic top three” on the podium. “I agree with Fernando, it’s a privilege to be up here fighting these two who have done incredible in their careers.”
“As Fernando said, there’s a lot of respect between us as we were able to race so closely and trust in one another. So I’m really hoping at some stage we have more a level playing field in our cars then we’ll have a much more exciting race I think in the future.”
Verstappen, who is 13 years young than either of the other two, said “I remember back in the day I was watching these two already in Formula 1 racing each other.
“So, of course, I’m very happy now that I’m in Formula 1 as well and racing them. It’s probably the best thing out there and we can share a podium together, we’ve done it now a few times, I think it’s great. Of course they want to swap positions, I’m happy in the middle at the moment.”
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2023 Canadian Grand Prix
- Norris ‘even more’ sure Canada penalty was wrong after review request fails
- McLaren seeking more than just downforce gains from major upgrade
- Winning more races won’t necessarily lead to F1 seat – Palou
- Red Bull’s testing restriction will “massively affect” 2024 car development
- Schumacher’s set-up input gives Mercedes a “super advantage” – Wolff
newey
18th June 2023, 23:00
Quartet.
Kringle
19th June 2023, 12:01
COTD
XV
18th June 2023, 23:06
An iconic trio who finished in order of their ability :)
Wiscious
20th June 2023, 10:51
Not sure about that; Lewis is a 7 time champion and already outdone Alonso in a car that was designed around Alonso. Also, Max is in the best car – yes he’s brilliant and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t replace Lewis with his F1 record in the coming years, but he’s not any better than the other two except for age/hunger. I do think Max is the next generation legendary driver, and belongs in the halls of history with Lewis, Senna, Prost, Alonso…Why don’t we speak of Vettel? I think because he was never as good as these guys, it’s clear to see how these guys are a class above.
I have been lucky to live through the ‘golden era’ of F1 with Senna, Prost, Mansell, and then through the Schumacher years (boring) and then through Alonso, Lewis, Max etc.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
18th June 2023, 23:15
Zzzzzzbleurgh(at “iconic”)zzzzz… F1 needs a bit of Will Power…
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
18th June 2023, 23:21
The seething hatred between competitive sportsmen is often hidden beneath the sheen of publicity.
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
19th June 2023, 1:15
Yes. Often it is…….
and often it isn’t.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
19th June 2023, 9:33
Quite right ;) @cairnsfella
MichaelN
19th June 2023, 11:06
Alonso had some rather different words about Hamilton just a few months ago.
They know they’re playing a role in the circus, and fair play to them.
Edvaldo
19th June 2023, 2:07
Best drivers of the season so far.
Leclerc and Russell haven’t been that good, Perez, Sainz and Stroll never were.
Todfod (@todfod)
19th June 2023, 15:21
Russell has been pretty good up until this race weekend. Leclerc has been quite disappointing this season (other than Baku). I honestly can’t see Leclerc stick around for another season at Ferrari.. this is more excruciating to watch than Alonso’s 2014 season or Vettel’s 2020 season with Ferrari.
Edvaldo
19th June 2023, 19:58
He would be a great fit for Aston Martin, but i doubt that team is ready to say their goodbyes to Stroll just yet.
Mayrton
20th June 2023, 11:59
Yeah, it massively hurts Aston but they will keep Stroll in that seat. Pity. An Alonso Leclerc combination would definitely seal 2nd or even 1st (given Perez poor performance) in the WCC.
Nick T.
19th June 2023, 8:55
Sainz is the most overrated driver in F1. Leclerc, while very good, is in a close second for most overrated.
Todfod (@todfod)
19th June 2023, 15:24
Leclerc has just been massively disappointing ever since his crash in France in 2022. He still shows flashes of brilliance.. like he did in Baku this season.. but he went from on all star performer on every race weekend to a driver of occasional brilliance.
I don’t think Ferrari is the best environment for a driver of his calibre though.. a Red Bull or a Mercedes just seems to get the best out of their drivers.. Ferrari brings out their worst.
stefano (@alfa145)
19th June 2023, 21:53
waiting for the stats n facts article, but this might be the record for the most wins from the drivers on the podium of a race? (at that time)
surely beats Valencia 2012
Mayrton
20th June 2023, 12:02
Iconic indeed. Nice to see the best 3 up there. Keep it coming. Lets reverse Alonso and Max next time.