Max Verstappen’s quest for a fourth consecutive victory in the 2023 Formula 1 season was almost derailed by a heart-stopping moment during the Canadian Grand Prix. The incident, involving a sausage kerb that led to George Russell’s crash, threatened to end Verstappen’s winning streak and jeopardize Red Bull’s pursuit of success.
Having dominated the race from start to finish, Verstappen seemed destined to claim another triumph as he led every lap from his pole position. However, in a rare lapse of concentration or a misjudgment of the circuit, the Dutch driver found himself in a precarious situation when he encountered the notorious sausage kerb at the Turn 8/9 chicane.
Fortunately, Verstappen managed to escape unscathed and even found humor in the incident, quipping, “F***, I almost knocked myself out on that kerb, haha!” While he was able to laugh off the incident, the same kerb proved disastrous for George Russell on Lap 12, sending the Mercedes driver crashing into the wall. Despite Russell’s ability to continue, the incident dropped him from a promising fourth place to the back of the grid after a slow crawl back to the pits.
Verstappen, on the other hand, encountered no such dramas and soldiered on to cross the finish line, securing his sixth win out of eight races in the 2023 season. In doing so, he not only bolstered his own exceptional record but also ensured that Red Bull maintained their perfect winning record for the year, marking a significant milestone with their 100th victory in Formula 1.
With this latest triumph, Verstappen’s tally of Formula 1 wins rose to 41, placing him on par with the legendary three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. The young Dutch driver continues to etch his name in the history books, rapidly establishing himself as one of the sport’s great talents.
As the 2023 season progresses, Verstappen and Red Bull have firmly established themselves as the team to beat, exhibiting exceptional consistency and dominance on the track. However, the close call with the sausage kerb in Canada serves as a reminder that even the most formidable contenders are not immune to the unpredictability of Formula 1. As the championship battle intensifies, fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter in this enthralling season.
