Lewis Hamilton given HUGE boost and Kevin Magnussen nearly WIPES OUT Red Bull on Canadian GP lap 1

Verstappen aan de leiding tijdens GP Canada — Photo: © LAT Images

Canadian Grand Prix

Hamilton given HUGE boost and Magnussen nearly WIPES OUT Red Bull on Canadian GP lap 1

Dane avoids major accident at final corner as Sainz and Perez battled

Shay Rogers

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:15 Updated: 01:15

Max Verstappen flew off the line and into a comfortable lead by turn one, as Lewis Hamilton comfortably jumped the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard reacted well to the lights going out, but his car bogged down off the line.

A poor run off turn two left Alonso vulnerable to Russell behind, but he managed to hold off the Brit's charge.

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Throughout the middle sector both Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz found themselves embroiled in a battle for 11th place, with the Spaniard retaining the position despite taking a hop across the sausage kerbs.

Nearly man

The battle continued to the final corner where Kevin Magnussen nearly ran into the back of the Red Bull, taking to the escape road to avoid a major incident.

Charles Leclerc had the quietest of starts among the lead runners, moving up to ninth following a move past Alex Albon.