Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has extended his lead at the top of the Drivers' standings with victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.

The defending world champion has taken control of the Championship in recent weeks, making the journey to Montreal having won five of the last seven races.

That has now been extended to six triumphs in eight attempts, Verstappen taking advantage of starting on pole to win this Grand Prix for the first time in his career.

Verstappen did not necessarily have it all his own way, however, with a couple of retirements leading to safety cars which subsequently led to unplanned pit stops.

He would ultimately be left to dual with Carlos Sainz Jnr during the closing stages of the race, the Ferrari driver having the advantage of the fresher tyres.

However, Verstappen successfully kept his nose in front, posting a result which has moved him 46 points clear of Sergio Perez in the title race.

Although the Mexican was an early withdrawal from the race due to a mechanical failure, he has remained three points clear of Charles Leclerc.

From the back of the grid, the Ferrari man was able to get home in fifth spot, a credible result in the circumstances with the stop-start nature not benefitting his strategy.

Lewis Hamilton recorded just his second podium finish of the season to claim third place, the Mercedes driver finishing marginally ahead of his teammate George Russell.

Despite starting on the front row of the grid alongside Verstappen, Alpine's Fernando Alonso was only able to finish in seventh for the third successive race. body check tags ::