Up and comers target victory

Two of Formula One's rising stars see no reason why they cannot join the growing list of race winners this season.

Lewis Hamilton's third Canadian Grand Prix triumph means there have now been seven different winners of the first seven races, extending the record set in Monaco a fortnight ago.

However, it was the two drivers alongside Hamilton on the podium who caused a surprise as the McLaren star was flanked by runner-up Romain Grosjean (Lotus) and third-placed Sergio Perez (Sauber).

For both men it was their second top-three spot this season, with Grosjean especially claiming his highest finish in F1, with the duo just 2.5secs and 5.2secs adrift of Hamilton respectively at the chequered flag.

Given the topsy-turvy nature of F1's craziest campaign for years, it is not beyond the realms of possibility either could yet stand on the top step before the season is out.

Frenchman Grosjean, who has closed to within two points of more illustrious team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, said: "I'm pretty pleased with the podium.

"It means we are still here after seven races, and that my third place in Bahrain was not a one off.

"We are still fighting at the front with good performance and the team is doing well with the car. The gap is not that big.

"We just need to qualify better. That is not our strength this season, but we are working on it.

"Friday and Saturday have been quite difficult for us, but we have been learning a lot about the car.

"It's good we now have that in our pocket for the next races. Then you never know.

"With so many different race winners it's pretty interesting for everybody. Who will complain about seeing different drivers and different cars fighting throughout the remaining races?"

Lotus and Sauber opted for one-stop strategies for Grosjean and Perez, who both grew stronger towards the end, despite the fact they were on very old tyres.

Perez's third place is remarkable given he started from 15th on the grid, and what unfolded was a normal race with no adverse weather conditions or safety car periods.

Having already finished second in Malaysia to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso when he perhaps should have won, the Mexican knows he is closing in on a victory.

Perez said: "We long to fight for a podium every race. I think we have the potential to do it (to win).

"This has to be the target, to get the first win this season for our team."