Canadian Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen Focuses on Podium Battle
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing has set his sights on a podium finish rather than competing for victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, acknowledging a performance deficit relative to McLaren. Despite having previously secured three consecutive wins in Montreal, the unique demands of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve pose a challenge for Red Bull this season.
Verstappen stated, “It’s a bit different this time around… if we can fight for a podium with Ferrari or Mercedes, that would be a good achievement.” He identified Mercedes as a significant threat, noting their competitive form at this circuit last year. Verstappen emphasized, “[The McLarens] go faster. It’s not even in my head. I’m more focusing on the other teams.”
Technical analysis indicates that Red Bull’s RB21 struggles with rear-limited performance, particularly in low-speed corners and uneven surfaces, where McLaren excels. Verstappen noted improvements in car drivability but acknowledged that weaknesses remain: “We just need to find a bit more overall performance.”
As the teams prepare for the GP weekend, the focus remains on Verstappen’s ability to compete against strong challengers, underlining the evolving landscape of the 2025 season.
Key Quotes:
- Max Verstappen: “It will be hard enough to already fight for a podium.”
- Verstappen on car performance: “We did make our car more driveable… We know some of our weaknesses.”
