Max Verstappen is the sole driver outside of McLaren to have secured a Grand Prix victory this season.
Canadian Grand Prix
Venue: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal Date: June 15th Race start: 19:00 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app
Max Verstappen dismissed Formula 1 inquiries regarding a potential race ban as “annoying” and “childish.”
Qualifying second for Sunday’s race, the Red Bull driver will challenge Mercedes’ George Russell, who secured pole position, for the lead.
Verstappen’s deliberate collision with the Briton at the Spanish Grand Prix resulted in a penalty, leaving him one license point shy of a race ban.
Responding to questions at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Verstappen stated: “I don’t need to hear it again. It’s a waste of time. It’s childish. This constant questioning is annoying.”
Russell Secures Commanding Pole Position from Verstappen
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Russell’s first pole of the season prompted him to address Verstappen’s precarious position ahead of their race battle.
“We’re mates, it’s all good,” Russell remarked. “I have more license points to spare. Let’s see what happens.”
Verstappen, who acknowledged the Spanish incident as “incorrect and avoidable”, maintained that the potential ban won’t alter his racing style.
“I can’t back down,” he asserted. “I’ll race as I always do. I trust my abilities.”
The Spanish incident wasn’t their first conflict. A public disagreement arose last season, stemming from Verstappen’s belief that Russell was attempting to secure a penalty against him at the Qatar Grand Prix. Russell took offense to Verstappen’s subsequent comments.
Public exchanges followed, including Russell labeling Verstappen a bully and Verstappen reciprocating by calling Russell a backstabber. They also exchanged insults after colliding during the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint race.
Max Verstappen congratulates George Russell following qualifying in Montreal.
Russell described his pole lap as “one of the most exhilarating of my life,” evoking a feeling of “goosebumps.”
Having relinquished a potential victory last year in Canada after securing pole, Russell aims for redemption.
“Last year’s race was disappointing,” he said, “and I feel it could have had a different outcome. I’ll strive to make amends. However, this year presents a unique challenge. The race’s outcome is uncertain, particularly concerning tire strategy and the hard tire’s race distance viability.”
Mercedes’ improved performance is attributed to the cooler temperatures (just over 20°C) and the track’s low abrasion, which helps maintain optimal tire temperatures.
Despite this, Russell remains cautious about Sunday’s race.
“Friday’s race pace was encouraging, but temperature plays a significant role,” he noted. “Practice conditions were 5°C cooler than today, placing the car in its optimal range. Tomorrow’s race could be different. The race starts at 2 p.m., unlike qualifying’s 4 p.m. start time—a factor that could impact car performance.”
Norris on his approach and racing against Verstappen
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These track conditions negatively impact McLaren, whose car excels at managing tire temperatures. Consequently, McLaren faces challenges in Montreal.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri qualified third, behind Russell and Verstappen, while teammate and title rival Lando Norris secured seventh place, admitting to two errors during the final qualifying session.
Norris commented: “We can improve, but not substantially. It’s not the easy one-two finish we’ve seen on other tracks. Low grip is a major issue, impacting car balance and performance.”
He employed a revised front suspension design aimed at enhancing front axle feedback, a factor he believes contributed to the shift in form between himself and Piastri from last year to this year.
Norris expressed uncertainty regarding its effectiveness.
“On this track, everything feels different,” he stated. “We need more time to assess its impact across subsequent races in Austria, Silverstone, and beyond. It’s difficult to draw immediate conclusions with a new track.”
Piastri retained the older layout, stating: “It’s not an upgrade, but a different component. It has both advantages and disadvantages. I’m satisfied with the car’s performance this year.”
Team principal Andrea Stella added: “Lando experienced no drawbacks. Despite his Q3 result, he remained competitive compared to Oscar throughout the weekend. The front suspension modification proves successful, offering a setup option that may vary depending on driver preferences.”
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